A/N: This is something I had buried away in my room... in one of those boxes that has anything and everything from about 4th grade onward. I found it the other day and thought that it would be nice to edit and elaborate on. I have about 22 pages double spaced from 7th grade... below is just the first three (embellished) pages. Let me know what you think, and if you'd like to read more! Critiques (and compliments) welcome!
Brendisha grimaced. The markings in the sand, the long thin lines leading to deep cone-shaped holes, could only have been made by the Quoin. She reached out and brushed her fingers along the imprint: she must be close to a nest. Glancing up from the damp ground and the animal's claw print, Brendisha looked about. The sun had been long gone, and a bitter wind whipped through the trees without mercy. Straining to see through the dense forest with only the light of a waning moon as her guide, Brendisha shuddered. It wasn't the wind that bothered her, but the Quoin. She thought back to the ones that had been brought back after the men's hunting expeditions. They were nasty looking creatures, about three feet tall with bony wings and long spindly legs. As dangerous as the stickers on the animal's fingers were, the claws on its legs were even more so, with their poisonous tips. That's why they were so prized and feared in the village –the Quoin's natural defense became the defense of the people, ironically to be used against its creator.
Standing up slowly, Brendisha quickly ran her fingers over the curved sword attached to her right hip. It calmed her slightly, to know she had some form of protection besides her magic. She thought about casting a spell for light, but decided against it. I'll be easier to spot that way she reminded herself. This is a mission of secrecy after all… a mission that I never should have agreed to go on! For the millionth time, Brendisha chided herself about her rash actions. After all, it wasn't her responsibility to find Eripintoy. She was just a simple girl, not yet 18 summers, who was too quick in looking for adventure. But Brendisha had this odd feeling of obligation towards her village. After all she reasoned without the Blue Gem's magical powers, Yeri won't survive... A soft clicking drew Brendisha out of her reverie. Drawing her sword, Brendisha barely noticed the moonlight glint off the polished metal. She crouched down slightly, and waited.
She knew it was the Quoin, but where it was, she could not tell. Quickly scanning the area with her eyes, Brendisha stayed low, looking for the slightest movement in the bushes and shrubs of the forest floor. Another clicking, and bushes next to Brendisha barely trembled. She turned, and raised her sword to chest level just as the Quoin leapt out of the bushes. It landed in front of her, growling and snarling, kicking its way towards her, baring its teeth. Brendisha wasted no time in taking a defensive stance. The animal bolted at her, slashing at the air; Brendisha stayed perfectly still, waiting for the exact moment the Quoin was upon her. With an upward stab, Brendisha skewered the animal, pulling her blade downwards in a curved motion. The quoin screamed and fell to the ground, clicking furiously, but not before kicking out and forming a long gash in Brendisha's leg. She began to back away, hoping the animal was dead.
A rustle in the trees above her caused Brendisha to look up DANG! She thought to herself I forgot about its MATE. Dropping swiftly to the ground in front of her, the female Quoin looked little different from its male counterpart. It circled Brendisha slowly, eying her with a severe disdain. Geez! You would think that there was a love between these wild things, the way she's looking at me. I'll have to look that up in my… Brendisha's thoughts were interrupted by the quoin bolting at her with a spark of rage. Not paying attention, Brendisha was hit by the animal's claw. Putting all of her strength towards an offensive maneuver, Brendisha crouched low and rolled out of the way as the Quoin leapt in another attack, stretching out her sword. The quoin dodged the weapon, and seemingly vanished. What the… Somewhat scared, Brendisha knew this wasn't over. Close your eyes… taste the wind… smell the blood. Remembering the words of Yeri's magic master, Linna, Brendisha followed the voice in her head. She knew she had wounded the animal on the last attack. Now she just needed to find it and finish the job. Planting her feet solidly, the girl inhaled deeply, using the wind to feel out her enemy. Sensing it behind her, Brendisha spun about, stabbed, and twisted her sword with all of her might.
The quoin fell. With a final shriek, it flopped over to its mate and landed by its side, its head falling on the dead animal's chest. Brendisha stared, eyes wide, sweat pouring down her face. Now THIS was something you didn't see every day. Working quickly, Brendisha pulled her dagger from its sheath on her thigh and cut of the Quoin's claws. Never a bad idea to have some extra protection… she thought grimly. But she knew she had to get out of there. The quoin's last cry would alert every other creature nearby to her presence.
Momentarily ignoring the pain in her side, Brendisha ran swiftly through the forest. She allowed no thoughts to seep into her mind, except those that reminded her of the danger she was in. After what seemed like hours, Brendisha heard what sounded like water. Following the noise, the wounded girl happened upon a brook, running through a soft clearing, illuminated by moonlight.
She needed to rest, and to tend her wounds. She found a large tree near the stream and stumbled down against it. Peeling back her leather jerkin, Brendisha found a large, but thankfully shallow, cut stretching from her chest to her thigh. That's gonna leave a mark… she grumbled, and winced at the pain. Realizing that she was still in danger, Brendisha thought it best she protect herself… without her sword. She didn't like where that had gotten her last time.
Closing her eyes, Brendisha fell into the familiar blue and purple stream of magic that swirled around her. Just being here warmed her, and the pain in her side eased a bit. Knowing she was in a hurry, Brendisha looked closely at the magic surrounding her. Focusing her energy, she was able to make out the marks that made up the revolving stream. She quickly plucked one, two, three, four marks out of the stream: one each for strength, shielding, secrecy, and protection. She felt the energy of the marks in her hand and thought of molding them together into one long thin strip of purple in her mind. She opened her eyes and cast the purple string out in front of her. The line stretched and thinned, creating a hazy purple and bluish curtain of magic around her. Brendisha couldn't help but smile a bit; Linna did say she had been the best at casting protection spells.
Moving slightly, a wave of pain washed over Brendisha, reminding her of her physical wounds. The cut burned intensely, and her side was already becoming numb. If she didn't treat it quickly, she knew that it would slowly paralyze her. Breathing deeply and trying to not to focus on the pain, Brendisha slid her satchel off and rummaged around inside it until she found the bewitched salve Mariel had given her. Unlacing the goat skin bag, Brendisha dipped her hand inside and gently spread the goo along the laceration in her side. Wincing, she applied a second layer, saying the appropriate incantations as instructed by the kindly potion maker. Brendisha closed her eyes and slowly waved her hand over the injury.
Normally, Brendisha was adverse to everything except a person's Natural Magik, that which was found within. But after agreeing to the task of obtaining Eripintoy, and an argument with Linna, she realized that she would need all the help she could get, and allowed herself to use Herb Magik, Element Magik, and even Homey Magik. She remembered the conversation with Linna.
"You'll never get through this by yourself, dear" the ethereal woman had said "who knows? This may just save your life…"
"But I can save my OWN life!" Brendisha retorted hotly. "I'm an amethyst after all!"
"Not quite, little one."She laughed, causing Brendisha to scowl deeper. "There are still flecks of sapphire in your magic. And amethyst is not the strongest you could be –you know that! Oh, I wish you hadn't volunteered to do this, Bren. You have so much more to learn…"
"But I did. And I can do it! I'm not a baby anymore Linna!" she pouted, causing Linna to laugh louder. "Fine" Brendisha huffed "I'll bring other magic… but don't expect me to use it!" Linna smiled knowingly.
The cut stung as Brendisha finished the process. She could feel the poison being drawn out of her skin. Smiling at the memory of her mentor, she knew that this was not the first time she had caved in to using non-natural magik. But she felt weak when using it, and she swore never to use anything but natural magik again.
Crawling gingerly over to the stream, Brendisha splashed her face, reveling in its cool relief. She took several gulps of water before a feeling of overwhelming drowsiness overcame her. Moving back to her tree, she leaned against its bark, shifting uncomfortably for several minutes, shivering in the night air. Finally giving into the thoughts pestering her, Brendisha reached in her bag and pulled out a small trinket box. She opened it, and pulled out a small square of cloth. She grudgingly murmured a spell, and the fabric grew until it was the size of a blanket. Blast Ma and her Homey Magik, she groused, although she had to admit, the blanket was very warm. Ok she thought, before drifting off to sleep; NOW I won't use anything but natural magik again…
It was dawn.