Alinia's Battle-Prologue
Will Treaty sat on the front porch of his little cabin, nursing a mug of warm brown coffee. Occasionally, he would glance down at the old sheep dog that lay beside his chair. "It's a beautiful day, isn't it Eb?" he asked fondly.
The dog looked up at him, slowly wagging its graying tail. Then its focus shifted as it looked warily at the forest, pricking up its ears. A moment later Will became aware of the sound of approaching hoofbeats.
He stood up warily. Always expect the worst. Halt had drilled the lesson in to his brain. You'll either be ready, or pleasantly surprised. His hand drifted to the hilt of his saxe knife. This mentality had saved his life countless times throughout his dangerous career. It paid to be ready.
His wary stance quickly relaxed as his visitor came into view. A tall, beautiful young woman on a pale grey horse cantered gracefully toward him, her long, wavy blonde hair blowing slightly behind her.
She drew rein beside the porch and swung gracefully down, calling a greeting. He embraced her with a quick kiss before leading her horse to the barn for her. When he returned, she was seated on the front step, petting the dog. She rose as he stepped onto the porch, then sat again, pulling him down beside her.
"Will, it's so good to see you. It's been forever!"
"Yes, much to long," Will agreed, taking her hand in his.
"Well, I'm here to remedy that," she smiled.
"What were you thinking? A romantic dinner at the Heaped Platter, perhaps?"
"No, I was thinking of something a bit different this time. There is to be a joust at Castle Redmont this Sunday, I thought perhaps you would be my escort. Young Ralph is competing."
"Of course I'll come Alyss, that's an excellent idea!" Will agreed. He never would have passed up a chance to spend time with Alyss. The fact that Ralph would be competing made it even better. He was Sir Rodney's one-time star pupil, and though not a natural, the twenty-two year old young man's strong work ethic had made him a very competent, if not excellent, swordsmen. Alyss and Will had enjoyed watching him develop from a young teen determined to succeed into a strong, kind, confident young man. A tourney would be an excellent place for him to showcase his skills, and to learn from some of the older knights. Will was already rooting for him.
"That's settled then," she said. She prepared to continue when Will cut her off.
"Jenny sent me a pie last night, and there's still half of it left. Would like to go inside and have a bite to eat?"
Alyss toyed with the idea of teasing him over eating half a pie in one evening, but decided that with Jenny's cooking she would probably do the same. "Good idea, I would not want to miss that," she said, rising and brushing the dust from her long white gown.
As the door shut behind them, the dog let its paws slither down into a lying position with a sigh. She recognized superior competition when she saw it.