Fates Interchanged
Chapter One
"Milady! We should turn back!" one man shouted, as he rode behind a woman dressed in black armor.
"Are you afraid, knight of Marmo?" the woman asked, turning ever so slightly and giving the man an icy look.
"N-no, Lady Pirotess! I meant that……………." The knight stuttered.
"Never mind what you meant. Tell the men to pitch their tents. We're setting up camp right here." the woman said, crisply.
"Yes ma'am!" the knight said, ready to get out of the dark lady's sight.
"Keeping your men on their toes, Milady?" a smooth voice asked, seemingly coming from everywhere, yet nowhere, all at once.
"Ashram. I knew you'd turn up sometime or another." Pirotess said, as the man she was speaking to emerged from the shadows. He was tall, and had long, flowing, jet black hair. Silver eyes reflected the twilight and set themselves off from his pale skin. Long, tapered ears hinted at a mixed bloodline. Like the Dark Lady of Marmo, he was a half-elf.
"It's good to see you, Milady. How goes the overland campaign?" Ashram asked, quietly.
"Fair. Emperor Beld has managed to halt all trade along the coast and is slowly working his way in. I suppose your efforts have also been fruitful?" Pirotess asked. There was the slightest hint of a smile on Ashram's face as he presented her with a parchment scroll.
"As always, Milady. It was difficult, but I managed to get the lay of the land mapped." Ashram said, smugly.
"Well, when the Dark Elf elders had said that you were the best spy in Marmo, they weren't jesting! But, then again, Marmo has always had the best. It's a wonder that Lodoss hasn't already fallen into the hands of Marmo." Pirotess said, with scorn in her voice.
"Dumb luck, I suppose." Ashram said, as he sat down and started polishing his sword.
"All in all, you did an excellent job, Ashram. How much do you want as a reward for your services?" Pirotess asked.
"Seeing you again is payment enough, Milady." Ashram said, as he resheathed his sword and stood. Pirotess looked away, in order to hide the blush that was creeping across her cheeks.
"Nonsense! Here!" Pirotess said, tossing a small bag of coins to the elfin spy. Ashram caught it with one hand; a graceful, effortless move. Then, without another word, Pirotess rode off, heading for the camp.
"I wonder why I act like this every time I'm around him? I'm the Dark Lady of Marmo, for crying out loud! I'd be the laughing stock of the entire island if I fall in love with that spy!" Pirotess thought, as she rode hell for leather towards her tent. Back where she'd left Ashram, he stood watching her, with an unreadable look on his face.
"Stop denying yourself, Milady. Otherwise, I won't be able to protect you." Ashram thought, as thunder rumbled overhead, signaling the approach of a storm.