Crossed Blade .:Book One:.

Chapter 2: The Journey Begins

~~~~~~~Chapter 2: The Journey Begins~~~~~~

"Would you hurry it up already, sascras* move faster than you," Ivael shouted from outside of Damion's home. She got no response other than a low grumble from him. Ivael tapped her foot impatiently waiting for Damion to finish preparing for their journey.  

After waiting a few more minutes Damion popped out of his home carrying his luggage. He looked over to Ivael, who only nodded her head and began to walk to the wagon they would be traveling in. She hopped into the riding compartment and hauled Damion's stowage into the wagon. "Are you sure that this wagon can actually go anywhere," Damion asked poking at the rigid sides of their transportation. Ivael looked over and replied, "I assure you its' safe enough to ride upon." Damion shot an uncertain look at Ivael. 

Ivael grabbed his forearm and pulled him onto the wagon roughly. "You couldn't have given a heads up!?" Damion shouted. Ivael turned to glare at him. "Listen, if you're going to complain about every little thing, then I suggest hopping out of this cart immediately," She snapped. Damion's eyes grew wide, what had happened to the hero who saved a whole town? What happened to the great warrior who commanded many with just one swipe of their hand? Were all the stories he had been told to believe for naught?  

Damion bowed his head letting his hair fall like a curtain in front of his face. "I promise not to bother you from here on," He said solemnly. His female companion replied only with a curt nod and placed herself upon the steed that would be pulling their weight. Ivael grasped the reigns with her small, but strong hands. With a flick of her wrist the horse began to trot down the path and out of the village. 'Did I make the right choice? Leaving my home to travel with a complete stranger? Goodbye village life, hello vagabond world,' Damion thought as the two made their way down the hill.  

~At Nightfall~ 

"This seems like a nice place to settle for the night. Grab what you need and put it over there," Ivael commanded pointing to a random tree. 

"Yes ma'am!," Damion said with a salute. Quickly he grabbed what needed and did as he was instructed. "Alright now what," he questioned. Ivael looked up from her map to Damion. 

"We need to make a fire. Go fetch some dry wood and place it here," She instructed pointing to a small area of dirt and dust. Damion nodded his head and went about looking for their firewood.  

Soon after he found a decent amount of firewood he rushed back to the makeshift camp. As soon as she heard his footsteps Ivael's head popped up from the bag it laid upon. "I see you're back already. Do you think we have enough?," she questioned gesturing towards the pile of wood in his arms.  

"Yes I'm quite sure," He said while rolling his eyes. 

"Did you just roll your eyes at me?," Ivael accused with a menacing glare. 

"N-no ma'am I didn't," Damion shouted out of fear of her. Ivael simply sighed and put her head on her luggage. 

"You don't have to call me ma'am, you may call me Ivael. You may also call me your master," she said. Damion's face turned red from hearing the last part. 

"What makes you think I would even dare call a woman master? I can't even fathom calling you master! That would be absol-," 

"Need I remind you that you were the one who said I was the strongest woman? Or how I'm more experienced in my field of fighting than you," She stated with a smug smile. 

"You really are as wicked as they say aren't you," Damion asked. 

Ivael turned her body away from Damion. "Don't believe in what others say it might be your downfall," she warned.  

"Does this mean I shouldn't trust you as well," Damion questioned. Ivael turned her body back to face him. 

"I don't know you tell me," she smiled, "Well, we better be heading to sleep so we can get a move on in the morning." Yawning Ivael closed her eyes and relaxed. Damion followed her movements and settled down on the cart. 

()()()()()()Morning()()()()()() 

<Damion's POV> 

I awoke with a start to find about ten men with imperial armor circled around Ivael and I. I looked around and noticed Ivael still asleep. 'Honestly, what kind of warrior sleeps like a bear?,' I thought.  

"Good afternoon...prisoners," a man who I believe to be the leader of the troupe announced. "I see that Miss Salmoin has dragged yet another person into her hellish life. What is your name young sir?," He questioned. 

"My name is...Damion Jas-," I was cut off by a growl from Ivael. The leader waltzed over to her and smiled evilly. 

"Well well well, Ivael Salmoin, what a pleasant surprise to see you," he chuckled, "How long has it been? Two years since I last saw you?" Ivael's temper was rising, I could tell by the way her hands were shaking. 

"My my, it has been so long since I've seen you, Tartma," she growled through clenched teeth. Her hands shot forward trying to get a grasp at his throat. That action was blocked by him grabbing her wrists tightly.  

"Still have that haughty temper I see," He joked, "I do hope you come with us back to Slorna." 

"I don't think I will be going back to that wretched place any time soon," Ivael spat. 

Tartma merely smiled and snapped his fingers. Suddenly I had a blade pressed to my neck. One wrong answer could end up killing me. I looked to Ivael for help, she only took a glance at me before turning her attention back to Tartma. 

"I'll go with you," Ivael whispered. Tartma smiled and instructed the other armor clad men to bind our hands and legs. I looked to Ivael for a symbol or a sign to fight back, but she only hung her head in shame of what she had just agreed to. 'What happened to the almighty Ivael she was,' I wondered. She then lifted her head and mouthed the words I'm sorry towards me. Before I could react she was lifted onto the lap of Tartma who sat atop his steed. "Can't have you running away like last time," he sighed. As the other men climbed on top of their horses I was placed on the horse in the back of the line.

The knight behind Tartma blew his horn causing the horses to be set in motion. I looked back at the path from which we came. 'Goodbye Taskra, maybe I'll see you again in another life,' I thought. The group journeyed on towards Slorna leaving our horse and cart behind.

~~~~~Info~~~~ 

Sascras- A sloth like animal with very slow and awkward movements. 

Slorna- The Kingdom with in Satielle 

~~~Authors note~~~ 

* When Damion was asked for his name you notice that Ivael interrupts him from giving out his last name. His last name is Jasdeir. 

* From the moment Tartma was introduced in the story you can tell that Ivael dislikes him. Tartma on the other hand likes to mess with her but, he also dislikes Ivael. Obviously they knew each other before this encounter meaning something must have happened to make their relationship the way it is 

* Also Ivael looks most like Ivy Valentine from the Soul Calibur series. (except shorter than Ivy)

Thank you so much for reading chapter 2 of my story! ^_^ I tried to make it longer this time! Please Vote and give me tips or ideas about this story. Thank you so much byee~ 

--P.O.D.