Empire at war (A Httyd Fanfiction)

Chapter 15: Scheme

A/N: Writing is mentally exhausting, you guys don't even know. Anyway, some big things are on the horizon of this story, and I hope you guys are ready for it! Now, onwards to the next chapter!

(Cairo, Egypt— Many years ago)

The clashing of steel rung across the Egyptian deserts, and two opponents were throwing everything they had at each other, despite their ten year age gap. A ten-year-old Nikora Stormheart and her five-year-old sister Eir clashed with swords clutched in hand and eager to defeat one or the other. Now many would question the wisdom in throwing children in the wilderness and try to kill each other, and the answer was simple— prove yourself worthy of being a Mongrel and a Stormheart. From the day Nikora and Eir could stand, they were introduced to the warrior life of the Mongrel Tribe, they learned how to fight and when to fight. They not only honed their skills as future warriors, but they honed their minds as well.

Eir collapsed down on the sand and roared out in outrage that her older sister was defeating her quite easily, despite her best efforts to outsmart her. Nikora whirled her sword in hand and offered her little sister a hand, Eir refused it and dusted the sand that clung to her sweaty skin. "There will be times where you face stronger and bigger opponents," Nikora said, "and those opponents will do whatever it takes to defeat you; even fight dishonorably. That is why you must use your mind and find a weakness to exploit and then land a killing blow." Eir absorbed her sister's words and nodded in understanding. The young Mongrel princess wished they could wrap up this session, but their father forbade it and commanded them to return home only if one of them was victorious.

And so, Eir once again got into a battle stance, as did Nikora. The blazing sun bore down on them and hot winds caressed their sweaty skin, but the two girls ignored the Egyptian heat for the time being and were solely focused on achieving victory so that they could return home and end the exhausting day of learning and training.

With a cry, Eir charged Nikora and thrust her blade at her older sister's belly, but Nikora sidestepped the attack and with the speed of a serpent, she hacked half off Eir's left arm clean off her body. The pain of losing half of her limb caused Eir to scream out in agony and clutch her now heavily bleeding stump. Tears streamed down the young princess's cheeks and she laid eyes on her severed arm and saw it twitch three times before it became motionless. Nikora soon came to Eir's side and wrapped her wound up tightly to stop the bleeding, the older sister cupped the younger sister's and spoke solemnly. "Learn from this lesson and ensure it never happens again," Nikora said firmly, "you charged like a crazed goat and lost half your arm in the process. A warrior must remain patient and calm when facing a stronger opponent." Eir learned this lesson painfully well and swore to herself that she'd find patience.

Though it would take some getting used to.

Not only learning to be patient but functioning with only one good arm.

(Denmark, Scandinavia— Present day)

Eir Stormheart was in a sparring match with one of the many Mongrels under her command, this warrior hailed from Arabia and was one of the Mongrels best assassins. His name was Sa'Luk and he had been with the Mongrel Tribe since he was but a boy, he was trained by the late Hassan Stormheart himself and became one of the greatest warriors in the Mongrel ranks. Sa'Luk led a sect of Hashashin assassins and became the personal executioners for the Mongrel rulers— none stood their equal in combat, they moved as fast as serpents, and they were like shadows.

Sa'Luk was whirling a Kunai that was attached to a chain, the head assassin thrust his weapon at Eir's head, but the Mongrel princess ducked under the attack and inhaled sharply as the blade sliced her cheekbone, it was a shallow wound but it reminded Eir that Sa'Luk could make anyone bleed with ease. Eir felt as if a rug was yanked out from under her as she was ripped off the sand and fell flat on her back, and before she could even reach for her sword, she felt Sa'Luk pressing a foot against her chest. "Too slow," he said, "were this a real battle, your brains would be on the sand." Removing his foot off her chest, Sa'Luk then offered Eir a hand, with an irritated sigh, Eir took her sparring partner's hand and dusted the sand off his body.