Blood dripped onto the floor. Korin attempted to catch her breath and stared at the cold stone ground. Her hands and knees were the only thing keeping her up. She lifted her sore arm and wiped the blood from her mouth. She sucked in a deep breath and gritted her teeth to hide the pain as she stood up right. Her knees shook slightly but she gripped her sword tightly and stared at her opponent. "Korin, you need to pivot your right foot when you lead with your shield. Remember shield your right and lead your left. Again."
The older man held his sword and dashed forward and swung at her right side. Shield your right. She pivoted on her right and the sword clanked on her sword and she shoved him away and then pivoted to a front stance and swung at his stomach. Her sword made the chainmail move slightly but he was still falling back from her shove. He grinded to a halt with his back foot and made eye contact, then smirked. He spun around in a three sixty and slashed his sword at her neck. She saw the attack of the spin coming; she crouched and held the shield above her head. The sword clanged once again so hard it made her body shake from the impact. She opened her eyes and saw an opportunity, she continued to crouch, but she flung out her right leg and with a surge of strength, she hook kicked him making his feet come out from underneath him. He landed with a thud ad grunted. He held a hand out and whispered "Halt".
She slowly stood continued to watch the older man breath heavily. "Good Korin, much better. The kick was unexpected. I think we will close today." Korin held out her hand to help the man up and heavy sighed in relief. She hooked her shield on her back and sheathed her sword. Korin looked at the man who wiped the tip of the blade of his sword which had slightly damp blood from her lip. "Korin, are you sure? I mean this is blood. Your blood… my blood, the family's blood." Korin heavy sighed. "Father, this is my dream. I want to fight for my country and protect those who I love. I want to have stories like you do to share my children and grandchildren. You have taught me well. You knew from the day I was born I was not like my sisters. Kat is the best mom. Karen is a great waitress at the tavern. Kendal is a great wife. I have to find my rut." Her father put his arm around her shoulder and leaned her towards him and sighed. "I know Korin, I know. That's why I taught you your fighting style at a young age. I knew one day that the military would come to their senses and allow women to join. I do want you to have stories, but your mother wants grandchildren as well." Korin sighs and started to untie her leather bracers. "She has three already. Kat has the twins Jackson and James. Then Kendal has Madalyn, the princess of the family. Its only a matter of time before Lucas proposes to Karen, then more little children will be tugging at mom's apron." Her father spoke softly, "I know, I'm st speaking for your mother. Come on Korin, lets visit Karen at the Staggering Doe and get something to eat."
Korin opened the door to the tavern and the music was loud and the smell of stew, fresh bread and ale hung in the air. Her father and Korin sat at the bar and Karen wasn't looking up from her apron as she looked for her note pad and spoke, "What can I get yah hun?" "Biscuits with jam." I spoke in a deep manly voice. Karen pulled out her note pad and spoke annoyingly answered, "hun, breakfast ended hours ag…" She saw Korin she grunted and placed her hands on her hips then rolled her eyes. Their father heartily laughed at his daughters. "Korin Ray, look at you! You are covered in sweat, blood and dirt. Why didn't you change before you come? Father are you really going to let her join the militia? What about us? What about mom?..." "What about you let me answer your question?" Karen was always a talker. She barely shut up. "Your mother and I are worried but encourage her to live her dream and if this is she wants, she's an adult. She knows where home is if she wants to come back."
"Karen, I'll be fine. I'll write to you often. Trust me." She smiled back but that worry smile she got when she was pretending she was ok with something but not 100%. "Oh my father, that lip on Korin is swelling. Let me get a cold rag along with food. No since in mom seeing you are your worse." "Ale too dear." She waved a hand back as if to say she heard but did not turn around as she pushed the double wing doors that lead to the kitchen.
Father leaned an elbow on the bar and looked around the room. There was a simple bard playing a song on his drums. It was classic dragon vs. a group of underdog adventures slaying the dragon and relishing in the treasure they found. It was an old story that was told to children as they sat on their grandfather's laps eating a sweet their grandmother made for them.
"So after we eat, there is work still to be done at the smithy. I need your eye on a special order. Plus the coal isn't going to shovel itself and the wood needs chopping and collecting and…" "Father, what is she a man? She can't do all that! Leave her be. Let her go home and rest." Karen said firmly as she served them their meal. "Karen, if she wants to join the militia, she's going to go through much, much worse than chopping wood. Plus it helps guide accuracy and strength. As far the coal is builds tolerance to heat and discipline. Too much coal at once the pit grows to hot, but too little and the pit grows cold. You must watch it and learn when to add. Therefore discipline. Believe it or not she is continuing to train even while helping me out. Another angle, if she quits, which is unlikely, she has a backup plan working in the family smith."
Karen sat the last plate down and tisked. "Korin, what man would ever want a blood covered, sweaty, sooty women as a wife? They want elegance not a shield on their wife's back. Isn't there anything else you'd rather do? I'm sure I can find a job for you here at the tavern somewhere."
Korin slammed her mug down and turned around in her stool and stepped off. Being a bit taller than the average women had advantages… sometimes. She grabbed her bag and yanked open the door to the tavern and looked once at her father who had heart broken eyes and her sister who had a shock expression. She broke the gaze ad slammed the door so hard the sign outside swung a bit.
I can do anything a man can do, maybe even better. But who am I kidding, Karen's right, what man would ever want a woman like her.
After grinding teeth, grumbling and walking for a bit she looked up and saw her feet led her to the one place that made her feel safe. The smell was like no other. She opened the door to the family smithy. An older heavyset dwarf was at the anvil with leather gloves and apron on banging away at a glowing red sword. "Good day Theo. How's the Thomson order coming along?" Theo was mid swing and he looked up and saw Korin hanging her bag on a nearby hook. "So las, did your da beat ya today or was it the other way around? I notice the lip, but it looks like the wound is not as deep this time. " Korin sighed and smirked a bit. "We stopped at a tie. Then we went to the tavern to see… Karen." Theo shook his head and continued to hammer the steel. "What now Korin?" Korin shrugged and grabbed a shovel off the wall. "I don't want to talk about it. I just want to take my anger out on this coal and wood." Theo grunted in acceptance but and returned to hammer the steel.
Korin started to shovel the coal and turn the pit to get the heat just right. About an hour goes by and the door to the smithy opens and her father comes through with a small bag in hand. His eyes met hers and Korin nodded and went back to work. Her father closed the door then looked at Theo. "Uh Theo, can you give us a minute? Why not grab a bite to eat?" Theo hammered once more and then picked up the sword and slid it into the old barrel filled with water. The water hissed and steam rose around the sword. He pulled it out and the redness was mostly gone. He placed it on the table behind him then removed the apron and gloves. "If Mr. Thompson comes by tell him when I get back ill only need about another hour to finish the job." Her father nodded and watch the man waddle out of the smithy.
The door closed behind him and her father looked back at Korin. She could feel his eyes on her. "Yes father? Can I help you?" He lifted the bag up and said casually, "You left your meal at the bar. Thought you should eat. Plus I stopped by the temple and got some cream for that wound so it doesn't get infected." Korin stopped shoveling and leaned on the shovel. "Do you agree with her?" Her father looked like a hurt puppy. "Nah Korin. One day, the bards will be singing songs and telling tales of one of the first women in the military and how great she was! Little girls will play with sticks and pretend to be like you." He walked over as he spoke and placed the bag of leftovers on the table. "No dad, about Karen saying no man would ever like me "that" way because of me being who I am?" He side hugged his daughter and kissed the top of her head. "Nope, I believe you will one day find the guy who is willing to put up with all of your craziness." She playfully shoved him and smiled. "So how about helping me on the special order?" Korin grinned and nodded. "You've been talking about this order the last couple of days, when are you going to tell me who this is for? I mean, how do I know who will sign for the weapon when it's ready?" He winked and ruffled her hair. "In due time child."
She finds out she is making a single handed sword with a single teal stone in the hilt. Soon Theo comes back and gruffly asked as he leaned in, "Can I come in or will an object fly towards my head like last time?" Last time Theo was asked to leave, Korin and her father got into a heated argument. It was actually about her wanting to join the military. When he refused, she was furious. He agreed shed be good, but he was hoping when she joined it was not going to be in the middle of a huge war. A war he could lose her. She proceed to throw a hammer at the door, just as Theo opened the door coming back from his break. She laughed and responded with "Nah, I'm out of hammers today Theo."
Her dad leaned to Theo and whispered something to Theo and he nodded in agreement. Her father grabbed the bag and insisted she go upstairs and eat her lunch. They lived in an apartment above the smithy so she climbed up the stairs and headed for her part of the room she once shared with all of her sisters. There was two set of bunk beds for all four of them that her father built. Now she was the only one that still lived at home so she basically had the room to herself unless his nephews and niece came over to play or spend the night.
Korin sat at the oak table and finished her food. She glanced at the table and saw her sketch book and a couple nic naks from various adventures from either traveling with family or when a bard would pass through town. She turned around in her chair and looked at the empty beds. She remembered nights where her oldest sisters would hang over the edge, her younger sister would lay down on the bed across from her. Kat (the oldest) would read aloud books and read to us all every night until the moon was high above the house. They'd talk about their dreams and crushes. Sure they loved to talk to each other, but there were many fights over clothes, chores, neatness and messiness, the basics of sibling rivalry. She finished her meal as memories flooded in her mind.
She was startled when she heard a knock at her door. A beautiful women that looked like an older version of two of her sisters poked her head in the doorway. "Hi mother." Her mother smiled and came in and grabbed a chair and brought it to the desk where Korin sat. "Hello Korin. How was your day?" Korin heavy sighed, "Oh you know worked with father in the smithy, had lunch at the tavern… worked out in the field… you know the basics." She quickly mumbled through working in the field because it makes her mother upset when she thinks about Korin join the militia. "Honey I have come terms that you are joining the military. You can be honest with me. Wait, what's on your lip?" "Oh!" she quickly touched the wound she got in practice. "Uh um well, I didn't pivot so I got hit." Her mother heavy sighed and grabbed a corner of her apron and licked it. Then she began to wipe the dried blood off. "Mom.. mom… MOM! I'm fine, it's a lesson. I learned and the next time I didn't get hit." She smiled sweetly and laid down her apron on her lap. "Ok sorry sweetie. I forget you're a woman sometimes. I still think of you being the little girl playing with your sisters. Anyways, I came up here to tell you that your father needs you down stairs." Korin nodded and stacked her trash and took it to the kitchen, then headed to the smithy once again.
Her father was kneeling by the pit and putting his gloves on and grabbed his apron. "Ah, there you are dear. I need your help holding the hilt on as I mold blade on to it." Korin nodded and grabbed her apron and gloves. He grabbed the glowing metal steel with a pair of grabbing tongs. She grabbed the hilt from pit with her tongs. They placed both pieces on the anvil and she grabbed another tool and gripped the hilt so it didn't move as her father worked on putting the pieces together.
A little less than an hour passed and the pieces were one. When he lowered the sword into the barrel of water, steam filled the area they stood. Then he placed it gently back into the pit to warm it back up to get its final shaping. "So father, mother is ok with me joining now?" He sighed and smiled a little. "Well, I've been talking to her slowly and she realized that you were very good at what you do. I showed her the nasty mark on my back that one time about a week ago. I think it showed her that you can protect yourself." She lunged for her father and hugged him around his neck. Her father was startled a little at first them warmly hugged his daughter back. "I'm going to miss you Korin. I'm going to miss my little tomboy." Korin spoke in a muffled voice as her face was still buried in her father's neck, "I going to miss you too father."
A few moments later after cleaning around room, her father pulled out the sword. He placed it on the anvil and called Korin over. "Come on Korin, you're going to do the final shaping." Korin stopped mid stride. "Excuse me? Father, I've only done the rough shaping on items. You know the kind you can fix if I make a mistake? I'm not ready." Korin's father motioned for her to come over. "Come on, your leaving in a couple days for training. You can't leave now without doing a final shaping. Now, you'll need the smaller hammer." She swallowed and grabbed the hammer. She began to shape and he guided her step by step on the shaping. He handed her a small stone, it was the teal stone she saw earlier in the day. He placed it in the hilt and she grabbed the pliers. It was a perfect fit. She grabbed the sword and slowly placed it in the water barrel. It sizzled and she let out a large breath. "I did it." She spoke softly then her voice grew louder. "I did it! I can't believe I did it!" She jumped up and punched her fist into the air in excitement. Her father beamed with pride. "You did kiddo. Now I will let the owner know it's ready." She stopped and looked in confusion, "Who IS the owner?" He pulled the sword out of the water now cool to the touch. "Korin, this is your sword." Her mouth dropped open. "Mine? I shaped MY sword." Her eyes glistened on the verge of tears. "Thank you! This is best thing you could have ever done for me!" She took the sword from her father and examined it closely. "Now you'll need to sharpen it daily for a while so it doesn't get dull."
The next few days she spent practicing with her new sword against her father. She was getting better daily. Then came the day she would ride to the training yard for the country's militia. She had her bag packed; her horse saddled and was tying the bag to the back of the horse. She had the horse tied to a post. She rubbed the mane and looked back behind her. All of her family were there. "Wait, what are you doing here? I thought everyone would still be sleeping." Her father opened his arms and smiled while he spoke, "Oh honey sleep can wait." Her mother was holding one of the sleepy twins because dawn had not even broken. She placed a loose bang behind her ear and kissed her forehead, "I would never let you go without saying 'good luck' and 'we love you'. Come on Jackson, say good bye to aunt Korin." He sat up a little and waved a little, "Bye-bye auntie" and he began to suck his thumb. All three of her sisters, brother in laws, niece and nephews also came to say their goodbyes. She returned the "good-byes" and "I love you". She hoisted herself up on the tall black horse and turned him around. "Don't worry guys, I'll come visit as soon as I can. I will also write when I get the chance. I love you all." She cracked the reigns and kicked the ribs of the horse. The horse began to trot into the sunrise. Her shield was attached to her back along with the sword her and her father had made.
About three days on horseback she finally arrived at the gates of the training camp site. She hoped off her horse. She led the horse to the gate where a couple guards were standing at their post. "Halt, where do you think you're going little lady? The wenches enter in the back near the dinning hall. This entrance is for students that are joining the militia." His partner chuckled, "Look Travis, she has a sword. Do you think this thing is coming in to join?" Korin kept her mouth shut and just stood there letting the words wash over her. "I don't know Dirk, I did hear that the army was getting desperate, but this is… disgraceful." A moment of silence passed, "Oh, is it my turn to talk? Ok, before the gossip twins start up again. I have the paperwork filled out and the conformation from Master Mark stating that I have been approved to kick men's asses. So the longer we stand here chatting, the better chance I have to memorize your faces for a later date. For now I would like to enter and begin my training. If I show up late, then well we will all have a problem. I will get yelled at and then I will come looking for an "apology" and I am not the kind of gal that likes wasting my time with that kind of thing. So may I enter or…" she drubbed her fingers on her hilt. The men gapped at her and then stood up right. "You may enter, but only because you would just waste more time here while others arrive." She looked both ways and saw no one around therefore there was no line forming. She felt a since of pride and signed the log sheet. When a stable boy offered to take her horse, she politely declined but asked him to show her where the horses are kept so she can put him up herself. The boy eagerly nodded and showed her the way.
Once her horse was settled she looked around the area. There were men practicing in various parts of the center, men running in groups and some running various obstacles courses. She smiled and dug in her bag trying to find the paperwork that told her where to go from the stables. It stated that I needed to check in at the court masters office. I asked the stable boy where it was. He gave her directions and she flipped him a coin to take extra care of her horse. He grinned from ear to ear and saluted her and said, "Yes ma'am!"
She grinned and walked towards the court master's office. As she walked, she could feel the eyes of the men watching her and whispers buzzed. She held her head up and focused ahead. Of course they are going to stare Korin; this is going to be an uphill battle getting your comrades to accept you.
She arrived at a small building. She knocked on the door and a deep and gruff voice spoke, "Who is it? I'm very busy." She cleared her throat and spoke in a confident tone, "Yes sir, its Korin, Korin Stern." "Oh yes! Miss Stern, please come on in." She entered the room and it was extremely neat office. In front of his desk there were two chairs. There was a man hunched over his desk scribbling franticly on a piece of parchment. He placed the quill in the ink container. He grabbed a stamp and placed it on the bottom of the parchment. The man placed it on a large pile of other papers. He heavy sighed, "One more death letter to a poor, loving family that has lost a loving son. This war is getting… ah, anyways. Hello there Miss Stern, the folks here call me Master Mark." He held out his hand and she returned with a firm handshake. "I'm impressed Miss Stern, that's a pretty good handshake you got there." She smiled with pride, "My father taught me that the handshake shows your respect towards the one receiving it." He waved for her to sit and nodded, "I agree with your father Miss Stern. Now, where is your file?" He spun in his chair and looked in the neatly stacked files. "Ah, here we are. Stern, Korin R.! Wow, no wonder you were accepted. Your credentials are very impressive." "Thank you sir." She said with pride. He closed the file, "There is one thing that is going to be hard no matter how good you are Miss Stern." Korin bit her lower lip. "You are one of the first women to join the militia, so you will have to break through some tough barriers. No matter how desperate we are for soldiers, there will be some that won't like it. I hate to say it, but it's the truth." Korin let out a breath she had not realized she had held. "I understand sir, but I was born to be a soldier." He smiled a little and spoke, "I can tell by your hands. You have strong hands with hard callus."
A knock at the door and Master Mark spoke, "enter." A tall man with muscular structure and a light five o'clock shadow entered the room. "Ah, Sergeant Sebastian come in and have a seat." Sebastian saluted at Mark and sat down in the chair next to Korin. He smiled and looked back at Mark. "You asked to see me, sir?" "Yes Sebastian, this is Miss Korin Stern. You know we've had to make some changes since the war has become more…" he patted the pile of papers he had said earlier was a pile of death letters to families. "…fatal. So as you know we have expanded to recruitment requirements, such as accepting women." A thick tension filled the air and he turned to Korin. He spoke in a firm but frustrated tone, "I had heard rumors, but I thought it was just that, rumors." Master Mark leaned back in his chair and placed his fingers together. "No sir, we are indeed accepting women now, including Miss Stern here. Sergeant Sebastian, I'd like to introduce you to your new recruit." Sebastian stood up and clenched his fists, "Master Mark, surely you've made a huge mistake! I do not want this wimp in my platoon! I'm sorry sir, I will not do it." Master Mark stood up and came eye to eye with an angry Sebastian. "I don't remember asking Sergeant." Sebastian's fists were clenched so tightly from anger his knuckles were white. He whipped his head towards Korin, "You will never be as good as a man." With that he spun on his heels and slammed the door. The pile of papers for the families flew into the air and went everywhere.
After a couple seconds Master Mark angrily sighed and rubbed his forehead. She started to pick up the papers when Mark waved his hand at the door, "and that my dear will be your sergeant. Welcome to the militia!"