Marceline awoke the next morning, tear stains decorated her bedroll. She got up to look at the pot she left over the night, rubbing at her sore eyes. Pouring the rest of the stew into the bowl and taking a sip told her that it was still warm, an indication that the fire had only died shortly before she opened her eyes, the beginning of the sunrise alerted her to the task she wanted to complete: The dragon had to be slain. Marceline was eager, she couldn't wait to climb the mountain- and so she didn't. She grabbed her silver sword and shield, along with her axe. She almost left it at the castle, "something to come back to." she had thought. But she was going back no matter what.
Marceline walked to the base of the mountain, dread and eagerness tore at her insides, battling for dominance. She regretted -rather immensely- not bringing a bow with her, she was fast, she could kill small animals and even stronger ones with her sword- But not a dragon, she needed a bow to kill the dragon if it flew.
But then an idea came up: she started climbing the mountain, her sword and shield and axe strapped to her back. Quite heavy- But nothing she couldn't handle. Now, being a werewolf had a few more perks than strength and speed, she jumped from where she was climbing a few feet above, the distance was good. She repeated the act a few times until she was at the top, she had left her horse at the foot of the mountain, seeing as there was no other way up, and Marceline was not about to carry the animal.
The warrior crouched, taking in his surroundings, the sun was up now, and Marceline was stalking her prey, or rather- her hunter. She decided turning into her wolf would grant her the best of her strength, currently. And so she took her armor off, placing it on the ground. Her weapons next, although keeping them a little closer.
She started transforming, hearing her bones snapping and changing around her body, her vision remained the same, for it was daytime. She couldn't hold back the howl that rumbled in her stomach then her throat, she released it, drawing the dragon's attention and awaking it from its slumber.
The young werewolf was quick to act, before the dragon could move, she ran to its wings, severing them so the creature would not be able to fly. It roared in agony, slapping its tail and swishing it repeatedly, Marceline was thankfully able to dodge them. But no matter how much she could resist, Marceline was starting to get tired, and the dragon seemed restless.
The warrior, kneeled behind the dragon, away from its tail, and transformed back into her human form. She ran and ran until she reached her armor, but the dragon had caught up to her. Grabbing her sword, she threw it at the dragon with impressive force, resulting in it stabbing the dragon's eye. Marceline felt a pull in her arm muscles, that was going to cost her for sure, but it's either that or her life. She hurriedly buckled her armor, put on her helm ad grabbed her axe, wielding it with both hands and running up to the dragon. It breathed fire down on her, her armor withheld enough, but some got through her helm, burning her mouth and eyebrows. Thankfully, her healing would kick in and she wouldn't stay scarred forever.
The warrior knew it would be no use trying to cut the dragon's wings or legs. And so she opted for its belly, charging in, she stabbed its throat, moving deeper and deeper until she herself was inside the dragon down to her waist. The creature screeched once more before dropping, its heavy weight noted by Marceline. She grabbed the carcass and threw it off her, examining the beast she had slain.
Grinning to herself, she summoned some of her wolf's strength, stabbing her axe into the scales and harvesting a heavy amount, along with bones. Enough to make armor, she had thought. She spent the morning hacking and slashing at the dragon, taking pieces of meat to try and make a meal, cutting off the horns for decorations, and then finally the head and tail to bring back to the king.
Marceline took off her helm, burns thankfully healed. She took a rope, wrapping it and tying it around the dragon's head and tail and strapping it to her waist before riding Frost. She kicked the horse and it started sprinting, although it wasn't as fast as before. It would take them at least 6 days to get to the castle, one day before the feast, if it went as she had planned.
Marceline refused to stop during the night, continuing on her road, when she noticed a distant flame, her nightvision helped her see, and she noticed two figures, one lying down and the other kneeling. Getting closer, the warrior started hearing cries and pleas, she decided to investigate, she got even close, dismounting and walking slowly, very slowly, up to the figure. The dragon head did not help.
"Please, help me! Anyone, help! I beg of you!" The warrior got closer to the figure, which she made out to be a woman, the light was faint, and even with her nightvision the woman's features were blurry.
"What is it you have on your hands, woman?" Marceline asked roughly but not harshly, deciding not to unmask the fact that she could see in the dark. Laying there, next to the woman was an older lady, bleeding profusely.
"Oh please, kind ser! My mother..My mother she-" the female sobbed into her hands again, the old woman wheezed, making Marceline sigh in sympathy.
The warrior walked away, ignoring the younger woman's calling, towards her bag. She fished out a potion, something to stop the bleeding and pain.
She walked back up to the two women, in a more hurried pace, afraid for the hag's life. She uncapped the bottle and grabbed the older woman's head, tilting it and pouring the bottle's contents into her mouth. The woman was thankful, she started healing almost immediately, breathing becoming more regulated and signifying the woman's unconsciousness.
The young girl looked up to Marceline, hopeful. She had thanked her time and time again, and Marceline offered to take them to her destination. She had only hoped the king wouldn't mind. She did not fear the rotten monarch, only she wished the girl and her mother not be harmed.
"What's your name, girl?" It was day now, and they had been on the path for two days. The horse was the two women's to ride, and Marceline took to walking, with the dragon parts still tied to her waist.
"Esmeralda, ser." The girl blushed, she was younger than Marceline, for certain. But the warrior could not deny her beauty. Emerald eyes stared back at her in curiosity, skin soft as the summer breeze, he color of "chocolate" the sweet only kings were allowed, and had the luxury, of tasting. Thanks to how rare to find, and hard to make. The girl's hair was long, down to her waist, but she had a bandana to keep it up, it was black as night, but beautiful nonetheless.
"I must thank you, for what you have done for us, lad." The old woman said from her position on the ground. They had stopped when Frost became too tired and made camp for the night. Marceline was skeptical at the way the mother said "lad.
'She couldn't know...could she?' Marceline thought to herself.
Later that night, when Esmeralda was sleeping, Marceline had been keeping watch. She had thought the two women were asleep, and thanks to how restless her wolf had become, she didn't mind staying awake.
"Lass, I find it insulting how you try to hide despite your strength." Marceline had sensed the presence behind her, only turning around when she heard the older woman's voice.
"How did you find out, hag?" Marceline asked, eyes narrowed.
The woman only chuckled "That you are a lass, or that you are half beast, hm?"
Shock flashed across the warrior's eyes before it turned into that of amusement. "A damned witch? By the maker, you'll be hunted down!"
"I realise. People in this time do not understand much, and what they do not understand they fear. Magic is not harmful, unless you want it to be." The hag smiled, Marceline wasn't afraid, but she never connected with magic or its elements, despite spending most of her years with a healer.
The next morning, they were on their feet again. Esermalda had suggested walking but Marceline refused. The terrain was rough and if the girl was to walk on it her feet would bleed within the hour.
"That must be heavy, ser." Esmeralda stated with here soft voice, eyes fixed on the Dragon's head and tail. Marceline chuckled before answering "It is, but it's good training. I've never killed a dragon before, I have to admit this one was not difficult."
The three of them kept up the pace, Frost having to rest more, they only reached the castle in three more days however. Marceline untying the dragon parts from around her waist and grabbing the rope in her hand and dragging it behind her, the two women still riding Frost.
The guard surveying the castle gates signaled for them to be open. He blew the horn: "The squire is back!" he called, cheers erupted from the guards who knew Marceline, and walking in she found it hard to keep her balance from them piling all over her. Thank the maker for her armor.
After the warrior received her congratulations, the King was called to witness the squire's return and the prize she had brought with her. It was tradition, he would examine her shield and weapons and armor to ensure she has gone through battle, then the prize and give his word.
"Well, lad! I had not expected such a prize, you truly are worthy of your position!" The King remarked then laughed heartily, slapping the squire's back before his eyes moved to the dragon's head she had dragged behind her. "That is a dragon's head! you have outdone yourself, for certain! your name will be sung for generations for claiming such a prize for your kind. Now, lad. Rest, go buy you some women for the night, tomorrow is the feast. And you shall be named Knight! My precious Queen's personal guard, for dark times are ahead of us." The look on the King's face suddenly changed into a serious one, making Marceline nod slowly, before heading to the barracks.
"You're back! I knew you would make it!" Claire shouted before jumping at Marceline and wrapping her in an embrace. "Was there any doubt?" Marceline remarked humorously. Before tearing herself from the girl and walking to grab something to wear after a long, long bath. "What did you bring? How was it? What did you do? Are you injured?" The questions kept flowing out from Claire's mouth, and Marceline contemplated kissing her to quiet her down. But the warrior knew the night they shared was merely Claire looking for a warm body, her heart was to belong to the local blacksmith. Marceline had seen the girl eye him before.
"How are things with you and that blacksmith, Claire?" Marceline asked softly, not missing the blush that was on the other girl's cheeks. "We're courting. We plan on marrying next month." She said softly. Marceline jumped and embraced her, "Those are great news! Why did you not tell me, I would have brought a gift! Or wait, maybe I already have!" Marceline said with eagerness as she grabbed her bag and brought out the dragon scales and bones, handing them to the girl. "Take this to your husband and tell him to make the best armor he has ever made, and will ever make. I plan on having my name written down in history, and I'd like a statue as well, but none of that would be done with such lousy armor." The warrior pushed, Claire had only heard part of what Marceline said, "He's not my husband yet!" Taking the dragon parts and exiting the room, leaving Marceline in her privacy.
After spending two hours washing the blood and dirt off her, Marceline exited the bathing chambers, dressed in fresh and clean clothes. She had decided to take the King's advice and head to the tavern. Perhaps she could see Fiona again.
Perhaps.
