My first attempt at a fanfic, based on Mads Mikkelsen's portrayal of Tristan in the movie King Arthur.
I don't own any of the characters from the movie, just going to borrow them for a bit. I have the second chapter nearly completed but not quite sure how far it'll continue from there. I'll keep writing as long as these characters keep wrestling around my noggin. Hope you enjoy, would love some feedback.
The Woad in the Woods
Kyla picked her way through the lush forest, making headway by following game trails that occurred naturally with the movements of the local quadrupeds. She would have been delighted to have taken down a small deer on this outing but thought that, realistically, she had ranged far from where she had instructed Calum to wait for her, and the task of hauling it back there or gutting it where she had slain it would have either been too much effort or too time consuming.
She smirked to herself, thinking of their impending reunion. Calum was as inpatient as the next seven year old boy but when his inexperienced hunting skills had cost them two pheasant she had demanded he stay put while she sought out dinner for them both. She knew she had hurt his pride, but also knew that his bruised ego would quickly heal. The afternoon had been slipping by and she could not afford to indulge his eagerness today. She hoped the two fat rabbits swinging from her hip would partially make up for any insult caused. Perhaps, she thought, she could keep an eye out for the leafy green plant that Calum liked his food to be cooked with as a consolatory offering. Though not related by blood, they were as close as kin, sharing the common bond of losing both their parents, his to a Roman attack a few years back, hers through ill health when she was much younger. Their fifteen year age gap never was an issue.
Kyla paused momentarily to stretch her tired shoulder muscles and release her hair from the strip of leather that held it away from her face. Nothing annoyed her so much as a stray hair tickling her skin when she was concentrating on the hunt. She shook out her dark mane, easing the tension caused by the tight binding, which she now fastened around her wrist for safe keeping. Exposing the nape of her neck had been refreshing earlier in the unusually balmy day but there was a bite in the air now that foretold the coming night. She made to continue forward but almost immediately froze as the quiet whinny of a horse carried on the air.
Kyla quickly dropped down to a crouch keeping her body low to the ground and without much thought had loosed her hunting dagger from it's sheath. Her heart rate accelerated as she ascertained the direction she'd heard the animal calling from with dismay. It had come from ahead of her, placing it and it's rider between her and Calum.
'No, no, no, no, no' she thought frantically,' what are Romans doing out here?'
Her people lived in a small clearing right in the heart of the woodlands far from the monstrous Wall and not one she knew claimed ownership of such a creature. No, it must be a Roman dog come sniffing too far into the woods.
'Dog, or dogs?' the unwanted thought crossed her mind. She adjusted her trajectory to swing around her previous path and moved as quickly as she dared and as quietly as the forest would allow. She prayed to the Gods the same trees would protect Calum until she reached him.
'He's an attentive boy; his wits are sharp; he'll hear them before they hear him; he'll seek cover' she reassured herself frantically as she fought not to quickened her pace at the risk of being heard. A gentle pawing at the ground instantly informed her of the position of the restless beast. She had managed to situate herself adjacent to her foe. She paused momentarily with a dilemma, continue on to Calum or intercept the Roman while she had the element of surprise?
Though still far away from her village, dare she risk letting him get any further? She was an accomplished fighter and could boast speed, stealth and agility as her best qualities. Her mother used to joke as a child that she must be part wildcat. Pitting your skills against your mentors and fellow students was one thing but Kyla lacked a taste of true battle. Acting on impulse she began slowly to move closer to where she had detected the presence of the horse. She strained her senses and tried to control her breathing. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped her dagger tighter. The flora was harder to navigate away from the trails that criss-crossed it elsewhere and Kyla found it slow going, but eventually caught a glimpse of the animal through the foliage.
A single large, dappled grey stood passively to one side of the trail, it's head to the ground as it tore up chunks of grass from the forest floor. Kyla exhaled slowly, moving minutely to get a better look at the entire creature and it's far more intimidating passenger. She let out a silent hiss as she beheld the animal was riderless and was, in fact, tethered to a tree. Heart rate rising again Kyla quickly scanned the surrounding area in alarm. Where was the bastard? It was apparent the rider had moved forward on foot. Did he dismount because he sensed someone was near? Damn the man, was he a tracker? Kyla began to move instinctively towards the clearing where she had left Calum, keeping within sight of the trail. How much of a head-start did the Roman have? She threw caution to the wind and moved faster than she had before, each step that she didn't sight the foreigner her heart grew heavier.
She was getting ever closer to the rendezvous point, heart a flutter, when she spotted something ahead. She paused. The Roman stood some five meters before Kyla with his back to her. Her quick eye took in the details rapidly. He was not dressed as other Roman soldiers she'd seen before at a distance. His leather attire was more foreign looking than even they wore, with dozens of metal rings covering his jerkin. He was tall and his dark hair fell unkempt to his shoulders.
Most telling of all, perhaps, was the utter stillness with which he held himself. His posture was straight, shoulders back, head inclined down and slightly to one side. He knew she was there, Kyla comprehended immediately, and he was waiting for her move. He had a bow and quiver on his back but more worryingly was the long blade at his side which currently resided in its sheath. Her dagger and the slingshot she carried were no match for it. The moment stretched on. If she backed away would he leave her be? If she ran, would he follow? Lead him away from Calum, or attack him now? Kyla knew she could not fight whilst in retreat. Quick, decide!
Kyla sprang forward, realising she had to give Calum the best possible chance to get away. She hastened through what branches stood in her way, dagger at the ready, not uttering a sound. She had hoped to have the advantage of him having to draw his weapon but by the time her dagger flashed out within reach of him he had parried her hasty slash with his larger blade, sending a shock up her right arm with the impact. She was used to being the smaller opponent and knew her best tactic was to tire her rival out before going in for a fatal blow. Kyla danced away from him again, leaving herself open for an obvious attack which she could easily deflect ,but her adversary did not seem to be falling for it like the boys in her village usually did. He stood motionless, poised, ready to continue at a seconds notice. Kyla's green eyes met her enemies untroubled brown ones. An inkling of fear crept into her heart as she considered she may have bitten off more than she could chew, but there was no backing down now.
Ditching her previous tactic she lunged forward again, feigning to her right before, quick as an arrow, she aimed a blow to his right thigh. The foreigner lost the advantage of his longer reach when she was willing to get so close and her blade successfully connected with his flesh before she danced away again out of reach and circling to his right. No noise had escaped the Roman, if that was what he was, when her blade had bit into his flesh but she could see him reassessing her, as if only seeing her truly for the first time. He let out a short 'Hmm' and minutely changed his stance, sword held ready again for her next assault. His brown eyes held a slight sparkle that had previously been absent.
Kyla suddenly realised as she strove forward again that she had just lost the advantage of her enemy underestimating her, namely, because of her sex. He was sparring with her, anticipating all of her moves a split second before she made them, each of his in return economical, not one wasting an ounce of energy, and when they parted it was Kyla who's blood had been let. She gritted her teeth as she took in the large wound he had opened on her left upper arm. She glared across at her enemy as she breathed raggedly. She wondered how much fight she had left in her, no doubt that he was wondering the same thing. He was stronger than her and he matched her in speed and agility.
Knowing she was outmatched but, desperately thinking of Calum, she lunged again. Every second she distracted the Roman was another second she had bought Calum. Their blades connected, both moving with speed and grace, alternatively attacking and blocking with grunts of exertion from both sides before the foes parted again. Not hesitating this time Kyla threw herself into the fray once more, but after some quick sparring it was the Roman who successfully made contact. Kyla couldn't help crying out as his blade sliced across her abdomen as, too slow, she pulled her body away to avoid the blow. She retreated again and he did not the press the advantage.
He watched her as she pressed her left forearm against her damaged stomach. Kyla judged that it didn't go deep, but it still hurt. With a small roar she went for him again, her pain fuelling her attack and he retreated before her, though successfully blocking her increasingly desperate slashes. In one second the momentum of the battle changed and Kyla was on the defence again. He pressed her harder than before and she struggled to keep one step ahead. Seeing an opening she flowed forward, drawing her dagger in a back slash and triumphantly connecting with his right arm, albeit it shallowly. Her glory was snatched away in the blink of an eye. They both froze, her letting her dagger dangle uselessly at her side, him with his curved blade poised at her throat.
Kyla's stomach did a flip as her eyes glazed over in defeat and she gazed off into nothingness.
'Don't you dare come out.' she called loudly, quickly, her voice strong and clear, hoping Calum heeded her words, predicting he was not far away.
'The village must know. The village is the most important. Warn them. Wait five hundred heartbeats after he is gone and warn them. May the Gods give your feet wings little brother.' She prayed he would not appear. Her gaze slid to meet the cold brown eyes of her enemy as she loosened her hold on her hunting blade, letting it fall with a muffled thud to the forest floor. His eyes were unfathomable as she inclined her head the smallest amount, drawing in breathes quickly through her nose, her chest still heaving. 'Make it quick' she thought to him, then closed her eyes to await the fatal blow.