Prompt: Having been able to escape Dagur's attack on her village, Heather is left alone on a hill with no one but Windshear.
Song: Sound of Surviving by Nichole Nordeman
Sound of Surviving:
Heather didn't know how a person's life could be turned upside down in just one night, but somehow, hers had. Berserkers had come to their island and attacked, led by their Chief, Dagur the Deranged. Heather clutched onto Windshear tight, their bond only a few months old, but strong nonetheless. Her mom and dad huddled with her, the family together and afraid within their own home. There were screams outside. So many screams. Why were they attacking? Her village was a peaceful one. They weren't warriors, but more merchants and farmers. What could Dagur have wanted from them? Why would he attack an innocent village he had no prior relation with? It made no sense, but it wasn't at the forefront of Heather's mind at the moment. Staying alive was.
The door then suddenly slammed open, and Berserkers poured in. In an effort to protect her, her parents got in front and told her to run, to fly on Windshear and leave them. Heather didn't want to, but there was no time, and it was too late as the Berserkers forcefully grabbed them. Heather ran. She ran to the windows, clambered out, and with Windshear flew away, trying to ignore the screams from within the house she once called home.
Now Heather stood on a hill on an inlet not far away, just staring at the island she'd been raised on, the island where her village had once stood untainted. The Berserkers had long since left, and the island was far too quiet.
"Why?" (Start song) was all Heather could say, the question nothing more than a whisper. "They told me, I'd never get to tell my story…" She wasn't meant to survive the first time, lucky to have been found by two loving people willing to take her in. "These voices…" The screams and cries of her parents still rang in her ears, trying to drag her down. She… she wasn't meant to still be here.
"But my story…" Heather's eyes hardened with resolve. She was here for a reason. What that was, she didn't know yet, but as she looked back to Windshear, she knew her story was far from over.
Heather all but ran to Windshear and cupped the dragon's face, her only family left. "…this is my farewell to fear…" Her dragon crooned in response, her green eyes matching Heather's own. Heather ran a hand over her dragon's face, comforting both her as well as herself. "…I'm still here…" Heather turned back to the island, determination clear. "...This is the sound of surviving."
000
Three years passed, and Heather had established a base to call home. She was packing for her and Windshear's next excursion, kneeling before a tree with a carving of Dagur etched into it. "…intended for my pain, became the gift you gave me", she glared dangerously at the picture. The moment she found Dagur, he'd regret she did. Strapping her custom double-sided battle-axe to her back, Heather stood. "…I'm stronger than I knew…" That was one thing she could thank Dagur for, though she hated it. She never wanted to become this; she was forced. Climbing onto Windshear, gear set, Heather gave the signal, and the two were off.
"This is the sound of surviving…" They flew fast across the ocean, her informant's information guiding them to their destination. She had her hood and mask up, hiding all but her blazing green eyes. "…I'm still here. I'm still here", she repeated like a mantra, one of the few things keeping her sane over the years. Suddenly, a ship grew in the distance, and Windshear stopped, hovering for a moment. The world stopped, as if in slow motion.
"I'm still here…" Heather said again, the persisting pain she always felt returning at this moment. "…say it to your tears. I'm still here…" This was for her village. This was for her family. Her face hardened once more, she gave Windshear the signal.
They attacked, Windshear's tail cutting the sails, her fire forcing everyone overboard. And for those that persisted, Heather cut down herself, jumping off her dragon and using her battle-ax to win. "…This is my whole heart deciding I'm still here. I'm still here…" she pushed one man back and over the side, another coming at her at full force with a mace. She blocked the strike. "No, I'm not done fighting…" she pushed back, then sliced downwards. Windshear landed onto the boat, and any remaining men met her tail. "I'm still rising!" Pretty soon, no one was left but her, Windshear, and barrels of loot. As the wind settled, Heather's mask fell.
And that concludes this pre-RTTE song-fic series. See y'all at Book III's debut soon! Hopefully before the end of this month.
Bye!
