Chapter 6: Keeping a Low Guard

Svenya

After the first day of guiding my three knights to Herfirien, the days of travel began to take on a quality that made them seem to run together, like one long continuous day broken and interspersed by occasional conversations with the laughing knight and Rian, the red knight. Ser Lion remained distant, refusing to join in on the discussions, opting to remain morose and disapproving throughout, only offering terse suggestions when he deemed it necessary. The uneasy, unwilling familiarity with these men at times distracted me from all of the dark memories surfacing as we continued to draw closer to their destination. My nights were immersed with dreams that I would have preferred to forget upon waking but found myself unable to do.

Some were hazy memories of Templars burning an Avvarian village, women and children screaming, running frantically to hide and finding no place to do so. The air was being choked with smoke and the stench of death while I was forced to watch, held from behind by a captor I cannot see, regardless of how I struggle to free myself from the cruel grip. The silhouettes and hulking shapes of men in armor against the flames, faces hidden in dark helmets as they scavenged like packs of dire wolves the burning wreckage for any they missed: these images were forefront in many of the dreams. Between the flames and the men there was the hungry howling of harsh winds, spreading the flames beyond the village and into the surrounding trees and forest.

It was to a similar howling that I was awakened in the wee hours of morning halfway through our journey. I started when Rian shook me roughly by the shoulder, "Wake Svenya! We are surrounded!"

My sleep addled brain initially thought he was referring to more mercenaries or that the Templars of my nightmares had found us, but coming back to myself I could just make-out the yellow eyes in the shadows around the camp. These were not Templars, these were wolves and they were stalking us, circling the camp as if measuring our defenses, looking for a moment to strike.

Ser Lion and the laughing knight were already on their feet, swords unsheathed, looking grim. We did not speak as Rian helped me up as well and I carefully pulled a dagger from under my cloak. Finally Ser Lion instructed, "Keep your back to the center of the circle, Bard. Our best chance is if we watch each other's backs and remain ready for when they strike. Keep calm and don't make any sudden movements. Just wait for them to act first. There is no point in charging ahead blindly and leaving your flank undefended."

"Stay calm?" my mind churned, but I kept quiet. My palms felt sweaty and those yellow eyes watching me from the darkness made the hair prickle on the back of my neck. In spite of my sweating I felt a chill down to my core: these wolves were not acting like ordinary wolves for this time of year.

I had grown up in these mountains, I had been taught the wolves' habits in order to avoid antagonizing them unnecessarily and remain safe. They did not randomly attack people en mass when there was plenty of other food available for them during the early autumn. Wolf attacks were uncommon except in cases towards the end of long winters when they became particularly desperate or came across a potential singular target that was sick or injured. An entire pack would never attack a group of humans like this. This was bad…really bad!

Getting my bearings, I took note of my stance and where I was in regards to everyone else. Rian was to my left, Ser Lion was somewhere behind me and his Majesty was on the far side of the clearing. I entertained the hope that perhaps the wolves would see that we were not easy pickings and slink back into the woods until one particularly bold alpha leapt forward and snapped at me. Rian sliced at him effortlessly, injuring him in the shoulder. The wolf yelped in pain and retreated back into the shadows of the trees only to be replaced by another one hurdling forward to attack.

I was near useless and I envied the reach that the knights could achieve with their swords, but I didn't have time to bemoan it. The wolves were closing in and it was getting continually harder to stay beyond their jaws with my dagger in hand. Eventually Rian placed himself in front of me and I was guarded on the other side by Ser Lion, but the wolves kept coming. Sellose held his own, but Ser Lion barked at him, "Get back here and help me defend the Bard. You're leaving your flank open."

"A little busy here," he growled through clenched teeth as he parried two of the beasts at once. Ser Lion didn't have time to reprimand him because more sprang to our opposite flank and found a hole in Rian's defense. One caught him in the thigh before he could run it through. He groaned and went down on one knee, placing him at a disadvantage, bringing his head closer to their jaws. A wolf sprang, jaws open, without a thought I flung my dagger into the wolf's jaw. I deflected the attack, but I had also succeeded in completely disarming myself. I grabbed up Rian's sword where it had fallen on the ground and bodily placed myself between him and the bulk of the onslaught as he struggled vainly to return to his feet. Ser Lion bellowed at me, "Keep a low guard!"

"What?" I cried. I was staring the wolves down from just beyond the tip of the blade and desperately trying not to blink for fear of being caught unaware. Lacking any kind of training with a sword I settled on simply pointing the sharp end at the wolves to dissuade them from attacking, but it was so heavy compared to my dagger that I just felt clumsy.

Ser Lion tried to guide me while defending himself and Rian's other side, "Keep calm. Try to keep the blade low. Don't worry about swinging unless they come at you directly. Use their momentum against them and let them throw themselves against the blade in their haste."

I swallowed hard and nodded. At that moment one heaved itself towards me and with a flick of my wrist ended with its neck impaled and me dislodging it with a kick of my boot. Blood was soaking the ground and moving my feet made a sickening sucking sound with each step. As time passed my arms began to ache with the tension and trembled with the weight of the sword.

Then, just as suddenly as they had attacked, the wolves withdrew and melted back into the shadows that were dissipating with the rising sun. I was able to finally turn and examine the extent of Rian's wounds. He had two deep, distinct punctures from the wolf's teeth along with some further tearing of the flesh, though mostly superficial. If cleaned and treated properly it would heal well enough, but it would also hobble him slightly when he walked which would slow all of us down while we travelled; it would add another two days to our journey while we nursed his leg. Aside from that, he would have difficulties defending himself if we were attacked again.

"Great," griped Ser Lion with exasperation, "as if we did not already have enough problems. What did I tell you about leaving gaps in your defenses, farm boy?"

"Easy, Ser Grey, easy! We were all caught unaware by the attack," Sellose tried to placate the older knight, "which was very odd. Wolves don't usually attack like that."

I was relieved that I was not the only one who noticed, "Any ideas as to what could have caused them to behave so strangely?"

The laughing knight shrugged, "I am clueless, which is probably no shock. All I can think is that perhaps they are a throwback from the same troubles we were having with the blight in the south. The animals would be diseased from being exposed to the darkspawn taint and become more aggressive, attacking travelers or anyone that approached them. Even though the darkspawn have been defeated, there may still be some left over animals in these isolated regions that haven't succumbed yet to the taint."

Ser Grey shook his head vehemently, "I've seen some of the animals which you are referring to. When they have been tainted, as you say, there are certain marks of the taint on them. These animals did not show any of the signs that I became familiar with in tainted animals. They also did not attack haphazardly as a frenzied animal might; they worked in chorus with each other. These were far more organized than a random wolf attack, as if they could analyze our movements as well as anticipate the movements of one another. It was like they could reason. Could they have been werewolves?"

"No, I have had some experience with werewolves," Sellose answered resolutely, "They were organized but still more erratic than these animals. Also, these wolves didn't appear to be large enough. Werewolf flanks are slightly more distended and they use their claws more readily than these wolves did. These wolves seemed like normal wolves in their appearance, it is their behavior that is in question."

"We cannot waste too much time wondering about the wolves. We need to see to Rian's injuries and get moving in case these wolves return. I'll gather some herbs and boil some water to cleanse the wounds." I cut in as I headed for the trees.

"Hold," Ser Grey barked, "you are not to walk anywhere in the woods alone while there is a chance you can be attacked by more of those wolves. I will remain with Ser Forthwind and start boiling some water. Ser Sellose, you will attend to the Bard and protect her."

"Well, your Majesty," I sighed to my assigned companion as we headed into the woods, "it looks like you will be helping me to collect the herbs."

"Would you have preferred Ser Grey's company?" he asked when we were out of earshot from the camp.

I shuddered slightly, "No offense intended, but I think I would rather deal with the wolves than place myself at Ser Lion's mercy."

"You are too hard on him." Sellose observed. "He is gruff, but he is also brave and an efficient warrior."

"Efficient?"

"Quite," he grinned, "he can berate you and disembowel an enemy simultaneously. If you should have your throat ripped out he will be sure to point out at least six ways you could have avoided the attack all together and outline what you did wrong before you actually expire so you don't die with that nagging question, `Why did this happen to me?' at the forefront of you mind in your final moments. He is truly a marvel."

I tried to remain serious, but it was quite difficult when being accompanied by his mirth. I smiled in spite of myself, "It is probably not appropriate for a subordinate knight to mock his commander."

"Probably not," he conceded a little more gravely, before clearing his throat, "while we are on the subject of mocking and subordinates…why do you insist on calling me, `your Majesty?'"

"Would you prefer `your Highness' instead?" I teased as I caught sight of one of the herbs I needed out of the corner of my eye. I bent over to gather it and Sellose watched me with a troubled expression.

"What?" I asked when I safely stowed the herb in a pouch on my hip, still expecting a joking reply or a smile. When I received none I groped my mask with exaggerated care, "Do I have something on my face? Oh… wait…found it."

I figured the reference to the mask would restart his questions about it. He had pointedly been avoiding the topic for the last couple of days and it made me regret how short I had been with him. He had no way of knowing what a sensitive topic it was and it was a reasonable question under the circumstances. Upon further reflection, part of me wished he would bring the topic up again after some time advanced if only to clear the air between us. However he didn't take the bait, he continued to look distressed and remained quiet while I moved on to the next herb.

After a few more awkward moments of silence he cleared his throat, "Actually I felt we should talk about something I had said earlier."

"No need," I reassured him, "I think I already know what you want to say. You have no need to apologize. To be honest, I should be apologizing to you."

"Really?" his eyebrows rose in startled relief, "I was worried you wouldn't understand."

I looked up at him reassuringly, "No, I understand. It was really unreasonable for me to respond to you the way I did. How could you know what my reaction would be?"

"Absolutely," he agreed, smiling again.

I took a breath before continuing, "So it is only fair that I answer your question."

"Question?" the smile faded around the edges ever so slightly.

"Yes," I nodded, "your question about my mask."

"Yes of course," he agreed with a smile plastered nervously across his face, though I could have sworn that his voice held a tone of disappointment, "but you don't really need to answer it. I completely understand if it is something personal that you do not wish to discuss. Everyone is entitled to their secrets. I know you must have your reasons and you owe me no explanations."

It was obvious that he was worried about upsetting me, I sighed "No, I think it is only fair. You've been patient and have always given me the benefit of the doubt. You are right to assume that I have secrets and I can't tell you everything, but I should be able to tell you something about the mask."

He pressed his lips together helplessly, as if he would argue but felt that he shouldn't. Looking down at my hands, I continued, "I'm scarred. I wear the mask hide it from prying eyes. Besides it makes people uncomfortable to see someone with a scarred face – they either stare or they avoid looking at you completely. With the mask people still might stare, but at least it is with curiosity instead of revulsion or pity. Since I'm a bard most people don't think twice about it. It allows me to both gather attention and be discreet. Sometimes a well placed mystery is better than a painful truth."

"I see," he said quietly to himself. Looking up at him again I saw his head inclined slightly studying me before continuing, "Since we are making confessions, it is only fair to tell you…"

"Hurry with those herbs," came a bellow through the trees, Ser Lion's roaring commands interrupting what Sellose had been trying to say.

For once it was the laughing knight who seemed short on patience as he cast an unfriendly look in the direction of the camp, swearing under his breath, "Damn the man."

"Let's go, your Majesty, or your commander will do more than roar. He might flay us alive and continue the journey alone."

"I would love to see him attempt it," he muttered as he stalked back to the camp and I dutifully followed. I would have felt sorry for any wolf that might have tried to attack us at that moment, considering the dark mood of my companion. He could have gladly butchered anything that got in his way.

We returned and I got to work on Rian's injured thigh. He winced as I cleansed the wounds, but then I applied a salve from the herbs that I had collected and it dulled the pain. Sellose searched out a branch that could help support Rian while he walked. He used my dagger to carve down the top of a long, sturdy branch and tied a scrap of leather onto it so his arm could rest comfortably without splinters. Ser Grey, unable to contribute anything other than criticism, sat sullenly to one side while I completed my ministrations. It was well on midday before we were finished and able to head out.

It was difficult to travel. I tried to search out easier paths that Rian could travel with minimal jostling and pain, but the easier trails would mean a longer walk and our provisions would not last if we took too long. I explained this to both Sellose and Ser Lion, but it was Rian who insisted that we continue with the harder paths regardless of his discomfort. The longer we were in the forest, he argued, the more likely we were to be attacked again by either wolves or possible thieves and the loss of Rian's ability to repel such an attack put us at a further disadvantage. Our arguing over the possibilities made our slow walk even slower.

As night began to fall, we had difficulties finding a safe place to camp. We pressed on further into the darkness and our near imperceptible path became unreadable in the darkness. I could not read the markers clearly and groaned in frustration when it seemed like the path came to a dead end in a dense grove of birch trees. The eerie whiteness of their bark in the darkness made me feel apprehensive, but we could go no further. Surrounded by the pale limbs, we made camp for the night.

The shadows cast by our flickering campfire against the trees only compounded the eeriness and the wind caused the trees to creak while they swayed. Rian became slightly feverish during the night and I swabbed his brow gently as he moaned in his sleep. The fever broke somewhere near daylight, so I assumed the salves I made helped to sooth the infection. Bruna would have been so proud that her eager student had been able to apply her dearly taught knowledge.

Ser Lion and the laughing knight took turns scowling at each other when they thought the other wasn't looking, but they didn't argue. In one of the pauses between scowls Sellose looked at me and observed, "You don't know how to use a sword, do you?"

"I know not to hold the pointy end." I offered with a half-hearted smile.

"Well, that just won't do." He got up and offered me a hand up. He handed me Rian's sword and unsheathed his own, "Alright, lesson one, stances."

"What purpose will this serve?" Ser Lion asked skeptically.

"We lack Forthwind's sword arm," elucidated the laughing knight with a smile, "leaving us an extra sword and no one to wield it. If Svenya can learn some of the basic defensive techniques and stances, we will have less to worry about."

To this Ser Lion added bleakly under his breath, "Unless she loses her balance, swings wildly and accidently decapitates one of us."

"Good point, sir," Sellose enjoined, not sounding the least discouraged, he said a little more quietly for my ears alone, "Take note, Svenya, if we should find ourselves in battle again stand as close to our commanding officer as possible."

"If you recall Ser Grey's instructions earlier today to `keep a low guard,' he was talking about this stance," and Sellose bent his knees slightly, with his feet spread slightly apart with his right foot slightly forward and his sword angled downward. "Here, try it."

I did my best to copy and he walked around me examining what I was doing, "No, don't spread your feet too wide. The spread of your feet should help to balance you, making it harder to be knocked over, but if you keep them too far apart it does the exact opposite. Move your left foot in slightly. The sword arm should be extended slightly and braced by your left arm closer to your body. Bend the elbow a little more." He gently adjusted my arm. "That looks better."

I had to admit I felt a little more stable with the sword in this stance than I had this morning and my patient teacher nodded approvingly, "Ironically enough, that stance is referred to as the Alber stance, or the Fool."

He taught me three more of the stances and had me practice transitioning between the stances as he called them out by name. The movements were awkward at first, but became more fluid as I practiced them. The sword was heavy, though, and I was unaccustomed to wielding it so my forearms and shoulders began to ache much like they had when the wolves had attacked us. "You must have muscles of iron to keep lifting these things during a battle," I mused.

"Not quite," Sellose chuckled, "but you can get stronger with practice and I have seen some women wield these better than a man. They tend to be far more graceful. Be aware, though, these are only defensive techniques. If you find yourself alone and facing opponents you can use these to buy time until help arrives."

"If help arrives…" Ser Grey qualified.

I thoughtfully observed, "If given a choice, I would probably be better served to arm myself with a lute and put my opponents to sleep."

"That I would like to see," laughed Sellose.

"Well, I should practice then," I smiled as slid the sword back in its scabbard and pulled out my lute, absently tuning it. In a moment I was pleased with its sound and started to sing with the accompanying music:

"To bestow gifts upon their beloved,

I have seen men walk by the mile,

but the only man who could win my heart

would give me the gift of a smile.

Men can promise a woman the world,

as well as the ocean and the sky,

but I can only offer my heart

to one who can give me a quick reply.

Flowers can whither once they have been picked

and I have no desire to be tricked

by someone who merely wants a warm bed.

I lost my face, but have yet to lose my head.

A man searching a target to hit easily

should not attempt to end his search with me.

For all of my concealed visage

my favor is not easily bought.

Do not attempt to sway me with promises,

I will only accept an equal in mind and thought.

So men be wary in your glances,

when casting them in my direction.

The figure beneath is passable,

but is far outstripped by a hideous complexion.

My world is lonely, my life is stark,

but no man will catch me vulnerable in the dark.

Honest speech is far more pleasant company,

beyond this no man should require more from me.

Let other women give their favors in exchange for guile,

I can only offer the gift of a smile."

After the song was done I leaned against the nearest tree to sleep, but I went feeling a little more positive than I had in a while, "Goodnight gentlemen."

I was just barely dozing off when I thought I heard Ser Lion grumble at my laughing knight, "I still fail to see the purpose in arming a beggar. The best we can hope for is that she will stab one of us in the back when it suits her purpose."

"I trust her," was the firm reply, "I only hope that we don't prove to be far more dangerous to her than she is to us."

"You cannot compromise the mission, or your position for that matter, for the sake of protecting one woman," Ser Lion's voice grumpily chided, though the statement contained a note of imploring with it.

"If I had been a wiser man I would have given up an entire kingdom for the sake of one woman, but that is lost to me now. All I have left is the ability to perform small acts of kindness for a stranger."

"Acts of kindness or acts of stupidity?" the severe inquiry cut the air.

"If an act of kindness is stupidity, then I am proud to be numbered the second fool in this camp."

After this there was no more discussion, only slumber and the Veil.