Chapter 2: Raina and Airk
Across the kingdom of Galladoorn, Aideen and Duncan Heortsten lived in a small village. Aideen was a tall and strong woman with dark hair and eyes. Duncan was muscular with fair hair and light eyes. Although they were a strong pair, they were not soldiers. However, that did not mean that they were not fighters. Duncan had been taught by his family to fight and ride since he was a boy. Duncan passed these skills to his wife to protect her from Bavmorda's hordes during the reign of the evil sorceress queen.
As Duncan sparred with his wife every day, he could see that she was as strong as he. "You impress me every day with your strength."
"It's not you I want to impress, my dear. It's them," Aideen said.
"You'll get your shot at the Nockmaar scum one day. I promise you," Duncan said.
"I should hope it's sooner rather than later. I don't wanna get rusty," Aideen said.
"I doubt that," Duncan said. "You'll send them running."
"I have some wonderful news," Aideen said.
"And what news is that?" Duncan asked.
"I'm expecting your child," Aideen said.
Duncan gaped at her. "Are you certain?"
"The midwife was certain and so was I this morning," Aideen said.
Duncan threw his arms around his wife. "This is most wonderful news!"
"I am uncertain about raising a child during this time. I fear Bavmorda's hordes coming for our child."
Duncan held his wife close. "There is no need to worry about that today, my love. Our child is a gift and will be strong."
Aideen smiled. "Your words never spoke truer."
Nine months later, Aideen had given birth. Duncan had waited anxiously outside for news from the midwife. He paced outside the hall of his home, eager to know the condition of Aideen and their child. He heard Aideen's terrible scream's from inside the room.
She's strong, Duncan told himself. She can make it.
At long last, the midwife stepped outside. Duncan immediately jumped up to greet her.
"How is she?" he asked.
"She is resting comfortably," the midwife said. "You have a daughter."
"A daughter!" Duncan said proudly.
"Yes, sir," the midwife said. "Your wife is doing very well."
"Thank you," Duncan said.
Duncan entered the room and found Aideen sitting up against multiple pillows with the child cradled in her arms. Aideen looked weary, as if from a long battle but strong. Duncan could not help but smile at his wife and the child.
"She is beautiful and strong like you," he said.
"I wanted to call her Raina," Aideen whispered.
"Raina is a perfect name for our girl," Duncan said. "She will be just like you."
"One can only hope," Aideen whispered.
Many years later, Raina had indeed grown to have the best qualities of both parents. She was as fierce and wise as Aideen and as strong as Duncan. She had the beauty of her mother, with Aideen's raven dark hair and Duncan's light eyes. Her parents had schooled her well in the art of combat and books. By seventeen years of age, Raina had grown to be a strong and wise young woman. She could almost match her father in the art of the sword, and that is what Duncan and Aideen hoped for in their daughter. One day, Duncan and Raina sparred while Aideen watched proudly.
"Keep the shield up, my girl," Duncan told her as they sparred.
Raina spun and twirled deftly, keeping up with her father's every move.
"Don't get too fancy," Duncan said.
The ring of Duncan's sword sounded through the air as it bounced off of Raina's shield and she held her sword triumphantly to her father.
"You haven't beaten me," Duncan said.
He tossed her sword away with his shield and knocked her off her feet, holding his sword to her neck.
"A shield is not just a defense, my girl. Remember that," Duncan told her.
"I will, Father," Raina said.
Duncan helped her up and smiled proudly. "You do so well every day, my girl. You are just like your mother. No one would dare face her in battle."
"I agree," Aideen said, "No one crosses the lioness and her cubs. That is the gravest mistake. Well done, my girl. You have made us so proud. You will make a fearsome Galladoorn warrior yet one day."
"I would be proud to serve Galladoorn one day," Raina said.
"One day, you will, but for now you're our little girl and little girls are supposed to stay behind and let us do the fighting," Duncan said.
"I could help you, Father," Raina said.
"You're a good fighter, but you're not ready yet," Duncan said.
"You will have your chance one day," Aideen said.
Suddenly, they heard screams from beyond the village. Then, they heard the thundering of horses. A horde of Nockmaar soldiers had come storming toward the village, swords drawn and carrying torches.
"Raina, quick, hide!" Aideen said.
"I can fight!" Raina protested.
"No!" Duncan said. "You're not ready for this!"
"Raina, please! Hide!" Aideen said.
Reluctantly, Raina ducked into a wooden crate. As she hid in the blackness, Raina could hear the shrieks of her village; men, women, children. She could smell the village turning to ash. Raina peeked out of the crate and from the darkness she could see a figure wearing a skeletal mask. From that moment on, Raina would never forget that face.
Raina did not know how long she had been in the crate. She did not know if her parents were alive. All she could remember was that horrible ashen face in the dark. Suddenly, Raina heard voices in the dark. Hoping against hope, Raina bravely grabbed her sword and crept out of the crate. She saw a group of men gathered outside her house. One, she assumed was the leader, was tall with fair hair and blue eyes. Raina crept up behind this man and jumped up to strike. The man blocked her strike with lightning speed and held his sword to her throat.
"Who are you? Did you attack us?" Raina asked.
"We're soldiers of Galladoorn," the man said. "I'm General Cayne Thaughbaer. You're safe, child. What is your name?"
"Raina Heortsten," Raina said timidly.
"Give me some water," Cayne said to his men.
One of his men fetched some water and brought it to Cayne, who offered it to Raina. Raina guzzled the water greedily.
"Have you found my mother and father?" Raina asked.
Cayne put his hand on the girl's shoulder. "I'm sorry, my girl. We've found no one."
Raina felt as if she had been stabbed in the chest. And then she felt nothing. She wished she had been there with her parents when they died. She wished that her final were not in protest, begging to be with them. Most of all, she wished she had died with them so that she was sleeping in death with them instead of awake and alone.
Cayne raised her head. "Do not fear, Raina Heortsten. You are not going to be alone. We will protect you."
Raina was put on a horse and the soldiers of Galladoorn galloped to the heart of Galladoorn. They entered the city through a great oak gate. It was their that they were greeted by Larissa Thaughbaer. Cayne dismounted his horse and brought forth Raina.
"How great was the damage?" Larissa asked gravely.
"The village was decimated," Cayne said, "We found none alive, save for one. A child."
Raina stepped forward and Larissa knelt before her. "You are certainly a brave child to have survived all you have."
"Thank you, my lady," Raina said.
"Larissa," she said. "I'm no lady. What is your name, brave girl?"
"Raina Heortsten," Raina said.
"Raina, you shall have a place at my table always," Larissa said. "I would like you to meet my son, Airk."
Larissa led Raina to the courtyard where Airk was sparring with Ronan.
"Airk, come here," Riana said.
Airk had just knocked Ronan off his feet when he heard his mother call. Airk approached his mother and Raina.
Larissa brought Raina forth. "Airk, this is Raina Heortsten. She is going to stay with us now," she said gently. "You will be good to her and protect her. Is that a promise?"
"Yes, mother," Airk said.
"Hello, Airk," Raina greeted.
"Hello, Raina," Airk greeted.
Airk outstretched his hand, and Raina squeezed it tightly. In some small measure, Raina did not feel alone. She was very comforted to have someone take her in. She was grateful for Airk to take her hand in friendship. Neither Raina nor Airk knew it, but this was the most important moment in their lives.
A/N : How am I doing? I wanna make this a good story. I hope your enjoying this.