The Tale of Hera: The Warrior Elf Maiden
Chapter 2: Training and Lessons
~50 year later~
Hera was walking back from her store and passed a bunch of girls her age. They were pointing a giggling. She was use to this behavior due to the fact that she acted more like a man than a woman.
"If you want I can talk to them." Bali came up from behind her. Bali had become like and older brother to Hera. Bali had been training Hera for fifty years now and looking out for her in addition to his family of a wife and two little kids.
"What and give them the satisfaction, I think not." Hera continued to walk to her home.
"Here I have this for you. After all it is your birthday." He handed her something wrapped in cloth. Hera unfolded it just to get a peak. Under it was a dagger, and with a closer look she could see beautiful cravings in it with the word laoch.
"Laoch meaning warrior. How fitting. Thank you Bali." Hera hugged him and they continued to walk.
"You know your training is almost good enough for you to be in the army if that is what you wish. I could talk to my superiors and convince them." Bali knew this is what she wanted, and he already had done it. It had taken awhile to do, but they came around.
"Wait really. You would do that, for me. I would love it. Please." Hera heart burst with excitement. She was going to be like her father.
"Good, because your training starts next week. A fair warning, do not look for sympathy from anyone, because you are a woman. They are hesitant to let you join, so you must work harder to prove yourself and do not show weakness." Hera tackles Bali with a hug.
"I won't don't worry. I'll be the best. Thank you Bali, for everything."
~A few weeks later~
Hera had started her training two weeks ago, and it proved to be a lot of work, but Hera was prepared. The other soldiers were upset that a woman was in the army; they felt that she didn't belong here. Hera was use to the exclusion, because everyone, except Bali, had treated her the same way. Hera had impressed her superiors and proved to be a worthy opponent. More than once she had knocked a boy on his ass, but she was still seen as a woman and frowned upon.
One day her Captain in charge of her training came up to her while she was sparring with a fellow soldier.
"Private Hera, come here." Hera and the soldier stopped their sparring and Hera came over.
"Captain Drefan, sir." Hera saluted him.
"At ease. Come with me." Without question Hera followed. After a while she noticed that they were moving farther away from the palace and towards the gate.
"You are not married correct."
"Yes sir." Hera started to get unease with the whole situation. By now they were in an abandon barn. Drefan had closed and locked the doors behind Hera and was fiddling with his pants. Before Hera knew what was happening Drefan had her on the floor face down and was on top of her. He used his weight to keep her still as she tried to struggle. As he moved to take her shoes off she started thrashing. Hera knew screaming would show weakness, and all her respect would go out the window. Drefan was caressing her legs and started moving up them enjoying every moment of this.
"You know when we first heard of Bali wanting to let a woman join the army they were hesitant, but I want a benefit. You could bring pleasure to all the men. For on patrols when we miss a warm bed we could use you. So you will stay quiet unless you want everyone to lose respect for you." Hera cringed at his words, but Bali had warned her that this might happen and she was prepare. Drefan was looking at his prize beneath him, too busy to look at the back of her head or arms. He reached for her pants and started to pull them down, but Hera was ready. Before Drefan knew what was happening Hera had turned unto her back. While turning she used her legs to wrap around his next having him in a headlock, and a dagger to his chest.
"I don't think so." Both had been too occupied to hear several footsteps approaching the barn. The doors banged open to reveal Bali and a few of the other commanding officers.
"What the hell is going in here?" Bali was furious.
"She assaulted me Bali. I told you having a woman in the army was a bad idea." Drefan was trying to twist the story. Hera knew better than to say anything against Drefan. She knew that Bali would figure it out if he hadn't already.
'Then why her shoes off and pants are lose, along with yours." It took every fiber in Bali not to slit Drefan's throat right then and there. By now the other Officers had pulled Drefan from Hera's grasp and were holding him with his arms behind his back.
"Officers take him away to a cell. He will be dealt with later." They grunted in agreement and took him away.
"Hera… did he hurt you?" Bali slowly approached her knowing she was shaken.
"I'm fine. He didn't get the chance." All she was thinking was not to show weakness. She had to maintain she respect she had earned even in front of Bali.
"Alright let's get you back home so you can rest."
"I don't need to rest. I'm fine. I need to go back and train."
"Hera no one will think less of you if you go and rest."
"Bali, you and I both know that's a lie. I'm going back to train. Please don't stop me." With that she left the barn and made her way back to the training fields. A grin had grown on Bali's face.
"I trained her well. Maybe she will go all the way." Bali mumbled to himself, because Hera was becoming a fine warrior, and wasn't going to let anything stop her.
Back at camp everyone gave Hera strange looks, but didn't question her.
"What are you all staring at? Back to work." Bali shouted.
"Where is Captain Drefan? Did he and Hera do it?" Cluym piped up being the arrogant soldier he was.
"Nawh man she wanted it, but backed out and cried wolf to get the Captain in trouble." Darfin and Cluym were laughing along with the other soldiers. Hera's blood was boiling, gripping her sword tighter she kept walking.
"Aw why you walking away sweetheart. We promise we'll be gentler than that old man." By now all the new recruits were laughing. Hera continued to ignore them as she walked to her commanding officer.
"My orders sir." Hera hissed through her teeth for she didn't trust herself not to turn around and yell at those boys. The officer gave her a sideways glance, but gave her orders anyway.
"Faelar you'll be sparring with Hera." Hera cringed inwardly. Faelar was the most arrogant of all the recruitments. Turning towards the ring Hera was cursing under her breath for a crowd had already gathered and the match hadn't even begun.
"Come one sweetheart let's dance. And when we're done I'll show you what a real man can do." He winked at her. Hera unsheathed her blade masking her emotions.
"Now you know the rules." The officer backed out of the ring signaling to begin.
Faelar and Hera circled for a bit. Faelar made the first move and lunged at Hera who easily side stepped. She brought her sword around aiming for his lower back, but he was ready. Their blades meet, both pressing against each other. Hatred in their eyes. Hera pulled her blade to the side causing Fealar to stumble forward.
"Keep you balance Faelar." The officer instructed from the sidelines. Faelar growled for being called out on his mistake. Fealar came at Hera bring his sword in an upward arch. Hera blocked the attack and sidestepped attacking his side. Fealar had little time to defend Hera's blow causing him to almost fall.
"Don't let her win Fealar." His friends were shouting from the side. Hera had masked her emotions, while Fealar was boiling with anger. Hera brought her sword in an arch aimed for his head pushing down on his blade. Fealar was bending backwards trying to push up. Hera smiled, she had him right where she wanted. In one swift movement she release her pressure causing Fealar to shoot up into a standing position. Hera used his unbalance moment to her advantage. She dropped to a preached position plant her hand firmly on the ground and brought her leg around knocking Fealar on his back. Before he could regain his composure Hera had his sword out of his reach and her sword pointed at his throat.
"Do you yield?" Fealar spat at her feet. The crowd was dead silent, you could hear a pin drop a mile away. Hera offered him a hand, but was pushed aside. Fealar had his sword in his and when he got an idea. He turned around and brought his sword sideways aimed for Hera's neck. Expecting this from Fealar Hera ducked under his sword, and once again used his off balance to her advantage. She brought her blade under his with a great force that caused in to fly through the air and land in the ground. Using her arm not hold her sword she grabbed his wrist bent it behind his back, and put her sword against his neck. She pressed it hard against his skin, not hard enough to draw blood, but still hard.
"Do. You. Yield." Fealar gritted his teeth swallowing hard feeling the blade against his skin.
"Yes." Hera released him turned on her heels and walked away. As she approached the crowd they created a pathway, and unexpectedly dropped to one knee. The higher officers and commanders smiled at her. For today she had proven her worth and everyone had a greater respect for her. Way in the back Hera could see Bali. He had a huge smile on his face. He knew that she was bound for greatness. Hera smiled back, blushed and continued for home, because she was had a very long day and wanted nothing but to shower and sleep.
