The Sword Maiden

Frustrated

It would seem cliche' to say that Redwar won. I mean, the hero always wins, right?

Well, not always. At least, not without a little help. I found that out later.

Tenil began to make more and more small mistakes. His strokes were slower and sloppier. At that point, I might've been able to take him on. Valeria and I stood by, waiting for him to give up. He was fighting a loosing battle, and he knew it.

Redwar blocked most of the time, sometimes countering, but he didn't take advantage of Tenil's mistakes. He was just waiting it out, letting Tenil expended himself.

Until one rather poorly executed blow, Redwar blocked, but with a literal twist. He caught Tenil's blade in his hand guard, and twisted it away, forcing Tenil's sword point to the side.

Swiftly he landed a solid kick to Tenil's stomach. I winced as the blow connected and Tenil cried out. He let go of his sword and fell down on the road.

Redwar grabbed Tenil's blade and threw it to the side. Valeria had an arrow ready. "I will not miss this time," she growled.

Redwar sheathed his sword. "It's over Tenil."

The Ravager glared up at him with a hand wrapped around his stomach.

Ladine snorted and trotted up to Redwar, relieved to see her master safe. He smiled at her and stroked her nose. "Good gal," he murmured.

Tenil's hand around his stomach suddenly tightened, but Redwar spoke.

"Don't try it. This horse will kick you into a tree, or you'll be dead by Valeria's arrow."

Tenil's hand relaxed, but his expression of fury did not.

We tied up all five Ravagers, and buried their weapons in a hole near the river, by an oak tree that would stand guard over them.

I was glad to have caught them, but the other half of me was in despair. I knew we were going to have to go back to Ladris to deliver to the sheriff. It would put us further behind in our journey to find Derrek.

As I watched Redwar tie another knot about Tenil's hands, I wondered how long it would be until Ravagers would stop interfering with my family, would stop dividing us and tearing us apart.

My hand tightened on the hilt of my blade. Maybe I'd have to take the whole Ravagerian nation down. If that's what it took, than that's what I'd do.

I was bound to my family. And I would do what it took to get them back. Or at least, die trying.

That's when I knew what the name of my blade would be.

It's name would be Bound One, for it and I were bound to loyalty to my family and people.

Valeria noticed the murderous and determined expression on my face. As Redwar finished tying up the other Ravagers for the night, she spoke.

"What is it, Ravine?"

I tilted my chin at the Ravagers. "Them. Because of them we're going to have to go back to Ladris. Terreth is too far away yet to take them there."

Redwar looked up at Valeria, then at me. "You didn't want us to capture them?" He asked.

"No. I did. But I would have preferred it if they were never on our land in the first place."

His gaze turned back to Valeria, and they seemed to share some communication I couldn't understand. Valeria then walked over a bush and laid the bow on top of it. She drew her sword and advanced toward me.

"Let's spar," she said

"Now?"

"What better way to get your anger out?"

I didn't need anymore encouragement. Bound was in my hand before I knew it.

I was furious and I let it show. I didn't care about technique or precision. My blows were blunt and forceful.

Valeria forced me to back off when she countered, and so I started being a little more careful, but anger still backed my blows.

All over that place we clashed. We went back and forth across the road, backing the other into trees sometimes.

I won the most matches, but every once in awhile my fury would drive me to make a critical mistake, and Valeria would have me. But I didn't care. I just needed to do something.

And Valeria, the dear girl, was willing to be the being I took my rage out on.

Redwar and the Ravagers silently watched. I can't imagine how much it must have killed Redwar to not say anything about all the mistakes I made. But he knew what I needed, he understood it, for he'd been there himself.

As for the Ravagers, if they'd uttered one peep he would have shot them a glare so fierce as to melt lake ice in winter.

AN: Short chapter here, life was a little crazy this week. Thanks for reading!