A Blood-ful Dawn
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, places, or "themes", nor do I presume to do so. In addition, I give full credit to Tamora Perice for the aformentioned things. Also, I didn't jack your story, don't jack mine.
The dawn broke clear and blue over the village as Kealdry of Mindelan finished her glaive workout. As one of only 2 Lady Knights in Tortal, Kel had seen just as much fighting as anyone else.
And yet, she thought to herself, I'm still relegated to this "path of least resistance" post of establishing village defenses.
"Are you still sore about not fighting?" asked Neal, Kels long-time friend and fellow Knight. "No." Kel answered halfheartedly, "These people need me. Just like the refugees needed me."
"Thats the sprit." trillied Neal merrily, as he walked to the infirmary, where he spent his days healing the locals and teaching the village healer new tricks.
Kel stared at his reateting back for a moment, before turning around and going into her headquaters to begin the days work.
After placing her practice glaive in it's rack, Kel underssed and sat down in her warm bath. Taking her letters from the table next to the tub, She waved to her servant, Tobe, to go about his business, and began to look through her messages. She quickly disregared the one from Lord Storck, the local noble, and gave only a curory glance at the one from the mage Numair. The final message, though, she tore open at once. It was from her sweetheart, Owen of Jesslaw. Tears welled up in her eyes as she read his words about how much he missed her. Her heart leaped when she reached the end, where Owen said that he would see her at Midwinter, only 5 weeks away, if she didn't get herself killed.
Upon finishing the letter, Kel got out of the bath and changed into simple brown pants and tunic, along with leather practice armour. Taking up her sword belt, Kel grabed her bow and quiver and headed out to the village common, where she trained the locals in the fighting arts. Several of the village boys were skilled archers, and they were already practicing when Kel arrived. As she was saying hello to the group, a shrill, high pitched scream echoed out from the far side of the village.
"Quickly" shouted Kel as she turned towords the sound, "All of you, this is why we've been training. It's time to put your skills to the test."
Kel and the others charged into the village square, just as the final straglers fled in terror at the sight of the monster standing there. Sir Neal did not ever need to say anything.
The spidren reared back on it's two pairs of hind legs and smashed it's elbows together in a mock effort to make a rude gesture as it retreated, reveling the mauled body of a young woman.
"After it!" screamed Kel, Neal, and the arches in unison, as they charged after the vicious creature before them.
It turned to flee as it reached the edge of the forest surrounding the village, and it fell dead as it was pincusioned in the rain of arrows set loose by the village boys.
But even as they turned to rejoyice, it became apparent tht the battle was not won. Not by a half. Four Scanran soldiers and five half-man half-hours centaurs surged from the forest. They tossed burning torches inot the village as they charged at Kel and her small band of archers.
To be Continued...
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, places, or "themes", nor do I presume to do so. In addition, I give full credit to Tamora Perice for the aformentioned things. Also, I didn't jack your story, don't jack mine.
The dawn broke clear and blue over the village as Kealdry of Mindelan finished her glaive workout. As one of only 2 Lady Knights in Tortal, Kel had seen just as much fighting as anyone else.
And yet, she thought to herself, I'm still relegated to this "path of least resistance" post of establishing village defenses.
"Are you still sore about not fighting?" asked Neal, Kels long-time friend and fellow Knight. "No." Kel answered halfheartedly, "These people need me. Just like the refugees needed me."
"Thats the sprit." trillied Neal merrily, as he walked to the infirmary, where he spent his days healing the locals and teaching the village healer new tricks.
Kel stared at his reateting back for a moment, before turning around and going into her headquaters to begin the days work.
After placing her practice glaive in it's rack, Kel underssed and sat down in her warm bath. Taking her letters from the table next to the tub, She waved to her servant, Tobe, to go about his business, and began to look through her messages. She quickly disregared the one from Lord Storck, the local noble, and gave only a curory glance at the one from the mage Numair. The final message, though, she tore open at once. It was from her sweetheart, Owen of Jesslaw. Tears welled up in her eyes as she read his words about how much he missed her. Her heart leaped when she reached the end, where Owen said that he would see her at Midwinter, only 5 weeks away, if she didn't get herself killed.
Upon finishing the letter, Kel got out of the bath and changed into simple brown pants and tunic, along with leather practice armour. Taking up her sword belt, Kel grabed her bow and quiver and headed out to the village common, where she trained the locals in the fighting arts. Several of the village boys were skilled archers, and they were already practicing when Kel arrived. As she was saying hello to the group, a shrill, high pitched scream echoed out from the far side of the village.
"Quickly" shouted Kel as she turned towords the sound, "All of you, this is why we've been training. It's time to put your skills to the test."
Kel and the others charged into the village square, just as the final straglers fled in terror at the sight of the monster standing there. Sir Neal did not ever need to say anything.
The spidren reared back on it's two pairs of hind legs and smashed it's elbows together in a mock effort to make a rude gesture as it retreated, reveling the mauled body of a young woman.
"After it!" screamed Kel, Neal, and the arches in unison, as they charged after the vicious creature before them.
It turned to flee as it reached the edge of the forest surrounding the village, and it fell dead as it was pincusioned in the rain of arrows set loose by the village boys.
But even as they turned to rejoyice, it became apparent tht the battle was not won. Not by a half. Four Scanran soldiers and five half-man half-hours centaurs surged from the forest. They tossed burning torches inot the village as they charged at Kel and her small band of archers.
To be Continued...
