Vaida's Raiders
A gift drabble for Sardonic Kender Smile.
Theme: Heath and Vaida (friendship)
...x0x...
"From this moment forward, Vaida's Raiders are no more." The woman's back was turned to her team as she reached for the knife at her belt. Pulling it from the sheath she raised it up to the tight bun at the top of her head and severed it at the base. The hairs of now-mismatched length fell against her head as she dropped the bun to the ground, fiercely stomping it under the ball of her booted foot and grinding it into the dirt. "You are all to fly as far away as you can--fly to Lycia-- or I'll skewer you myself and lace my boots with your entrails, are we clear?"
A small murmur of assent passed among the handful of men-at-arms while they bobbed their heads. None of them mentioned that her boots did not require lacing of any kind.
"Well, what are you all waiting for? Get your sorry rears into those saddles and fly! I never want to see you again!" She spat, whirling around and brandishing her lance at them. Three of the four scurried onto the saddles of their wyverns, patting their sides before launching into the air, whirlwinds of dust kicked up by their hurried departures. The fourth lingered behind, halting before he had thrown himself into his own saddle, looking to his former commander and seeing her lean against her own fierce mount--rather wearily, he thought. He held his position for a moment, rolling words around in his mind before removing his foot from the stirrup and slowly approaching her.
"Commander Vaida..."
The woman whirled around, fire in her eyes and venom on her tongue. "Heath, you feculent simpleton! I told you to go! Or did I not make myself clear?" She raised her lance to him a second time and assumed a stance for a thrusting maneuver. Heath retreated a step, his hands held palm-forward in placating gesture, one which had no noticeable effect on her conscience.
"I....I only wanted to...wish you good luck, Commander." His voice came out strained and quiet.
At his words her expression flinched in its severity. She returned to a regular stance, thumping the butt of the lance into the ground. She regarded him with a strange expression, mulling his actions over in her mind.
"Well, you've done it now, so what are you still here for? Go, you idiot! That's an order and the last you'll ever get!" She snapped finally, lurching forward and swinging the tip of her lance forward, pivoting it on its end.
Heath bowed hastily before scurrying back into his saddle, fearful that she might go through with her intentions of skewering him. Once settled, he found that her back was to him once again.
"Good bye.....Commander." He saluted her and pulled his wyvern's head around to prepare to take off and make his escape.
"Heath."
His heart jumped. "Yes, Commander?"
"Don't die."
He nodded hastily, "Yes, Commander! I won't!"
She snorted once and that was all. Heath watched her for a few seconds before smiling slightly to himself and spurring his wvyern into the air.
...x0x...
Fin