I went up the stairs silently, then out through the door. My Father was still getting dressed, and my brother was reigning up the horses. I saw him struggling to get the horse to hold still, and his eyebrows knit together. I grinned and made my way over to assist him with the ornery horse. I wrapped my arms around its neck, and spoke softly to it. It immediately calmed, and he stuck the bit in its mouth. He smiled and said "There we go." As he patted the side of its head.

I smiled at him, and we stood there talking about happenings of our childhood until father walked out pulling at his collar. I hugged my brother, and he put his hand on the back of my head. He kissed my hair, sensing the sense of fear I had. "You'll be fine. You're the Black Arrow. No fool would try to come onto you." I nodded, still unconvinced. He knew I was still nervous, so he pulled away and held my shoulders. He looked me in the eyes and said "You are the strongest woman I know. You can summon a blizzard and shoot someone square in the eye from 450 feet away. The Nine will protect you, no matter what you may think."

My eyes widened as he said this, because that meant he knew I didn't believe. He winked at me, and I settled instantly. My dear brother Martin. If anything ever happened to him, they'd have to bury me. But I was still not content living here. I was sick of doing the same thing every day, and praying to Gods that I didn't believe in. Every time I prayed, there was that ominous darkness that mocked it, and comforted me with its presence.

I hugged my mother, and Martin helped her into the carriage. My father looked at me and said "You know what to do. You'll be just fine." Then he got up in the carriage with my mother. Martin hugged me one last time, and I got the feeling that I'd never see him again. I squeezed him tightly. He pulled away and said "Try to crack a few skulls for me." I smiled and said "No. I'll send a dagger through a few chests, though."

My parents stared at me in horrification, and my brother just shook his head with a grin. He knew, he just kept it a secret for me. I hadn't even told him, and he knew. That was how close we were. There was just something that let us see more than other people. He climbed up onto the carriage, then grabbed the reigns. He turned around and saluted me, and I did the same to him. He cracked the reigns, and they drove out of sight.

I was left standing in the field with nothing but the sound of the slight breeze blowing. I felt a dark and ominous presence that settled me for some reason, but I knew better than to trust it. Someone was here, and I was willing to bet that it wasn't your normal friendly adventurer. I stood up straight, and used my special alteration spell to let me change instantly into my black leather armor.

Whomever it was, they were hiding, yet I could practically feel their eyebrow furrowing. I stood stock still in the center of the field, a silent challenge. My way of saying "If you want me, come get me." In a moment or two, I felt a shadow be cast over me. He'd heard me loud and clear, and was right behind me. I stood still, unshaken by his looming over me. I steeled myself, ready for the heat of battle.

I turned around, and he was hooded just as I was. I only got to see a small smirk on his face, and mine remained stoic. In a flash he'd drawn a dagger, and went to plunge it into the crook of my neck. I grabbed his wrist with lightning reflexes, and sent a surge of electricity into his stomach. I flipped backwards and slid away from him. He cringed and looked at me with lips curled into a cringing rage.

I smirked mentally, knowing that if he let it get too out of hand, he'd be too angry to fight well. He stood up straight, fire enveloping his hands. A mage as well. He released two columns of flame, and I jumped up and out of the way. I had to jump into various places to avoid getting burnt, but once I was out of the line of fire I jumped up into a tree and swung my way to the top with ease. Once there I started to pull out my bow, but he'd set the tree ablaze.

I jumped out, and landed a mere seven feet away from him. I loaded in a flash, shooting the brandished dagger out of his hand. I loaded again, aimed directly at his head.

He stood stock still, knowing he'd be dead were he to move. He seemed as though he were processing what was happening for a moment, then I saw his lips curl into an unsettling smirk. He opened his mouth to speak, and I readied myself for what this assassin was about to say.