Red Glass

19

***

Twin brothers of young age run through the gentle snow holding sticks they had found, stopping to swing them around like swords before falling to the ground together laughing.
A few years later, back to back they fight, protecting their home from bandits using wooden rods. Being only boys, they are overpowered and Ayhaan falls under the blow of a club. Rohain enters fury mode, destroying all in his path saving his brother with all his might. Rohain puts his right hand out and his brother takes it to stand back up.
Side by side, the twins are led to the cellar by their mother and father, to be rewarded for defending the house while they were away. They smile as father gives Ayhaan a crossbow, placing his hand on his shoulder, looking him in the eye before giving Rohain a shiny brass and steel dagger, glimmering in the candle light like magic. Ayhaan looks down at his wooden crossbow, disappointed as his mother proudly smiles at him. Rohain looks at his brother, Ayhaan looks away.

Each day they train outside the home in the cold. Ayaan, over time, learns how to proficiently hit targets under the watch of his mother while Rohain is trained with his father in knife craft.
The sons are taken on a hunting trip together, far away from the cottage. Through the snowy branches, autumn colours of a deer contrast against the winter. Told to just watch, Rohain sees the opportunity and attempts to leap out dagger in hand. Immediately father stops him but the deer is alerted. Holding Rohain by both shoulders, father gives a stern look as Ayhaan watches. Ayaan lowers his gaze over loose branches and dried leaves.
Following the prints, eventually they catch up, sneaking up on the deer. Told to make his shot, Ayhaan decides to climb up a tree to have a better vantage point. Feeling the opportunity to make his father proud, he holds his breath, aims and pulls the trigger.

The bolt does not hit its mark and the deer flees into the forest, leaving a trail of blood and snow.
Father looks at the boy, not angry, just disappointed. Trying to hide his feelings from his son were futile, Ayhaan could feel that every part of himself had failed as they tracked the creature through the winter wash.
Eventually they find the beautiful being laid by the edge of a waterfall, dying from the wound. The animal shakes its head and legs before deciding to accept it's fate. Ayhaan looks at his father for permission to finish the kill. Rohain is brought forward and his dagger is held above the soft beating heart, looking at Ayhaan he is told to press down, releasing the deer of its suffering.

***

Coming back around, a blurry metallic figure can be seen. Lying still pretending her eyes are closed, Daniella watches as the knight comes into focus, grooming a black horse adorned with white paint. She looks across the grass spotting a quiver filled with short arrows. Daniella sits up throwing up a little, spits the taste out of her mouth and rushes to grab one of the bolts but Rohain is already aiming his crossbow at her locked and loaded.

"What do you want with me?" Daniella asks, summoning every bit of courage she has.

The Silver knight just looks at her. Faceless, voiceless, aiming his crossbow. Daniella feels herself shrinking under his motionless shadow as she squeezes the bolt in her small hands till they turn red.

"You're not taking me anywhere!" Daniella announces in her weakened but firm voice.

"Go, but you can leave that." The tower speaks in a deep rough voice, lowering his weapon, picking the horse brush back up and casually turning his back to continue.

Daniella looks at the bolt in her hand, realising it has the same shine as his armour.

"I notice you appreciate silver."

He continues brushing, whispering to his horse as he does.

"How would you like to make enough silver to make another suit..."

....

"...and weapons."

....

"How about a silver mail coat for your horse?"

Rohain stops, slightly turning his head. "You have nothing of value."

"I do. I am valuable, I am lady Daniella of Baldwin manor."

"Your name means nothing to me, and I have no interest in whatever trouble you have gotten yourself in."
The knight says, stirring the pot on the fire.

Daniella looks at her wounded hand, noticing the fresh bandage and textures of medication.

"Are you some kind of knight? Do you not have some kind of code to help those in need or something?

....

"Well, whatever you are or whatever your code is, it is your moral obligation to help me!"

"Why are you still here?"

"I'm still here because I need to get home. I need help and if you do not help me, I'm as good as dead out here all alone. What is so important that you will not help me, even when I offer so much silver in return?"

"I'm looking for someone."

"Who?"

"Here."
Rohain passes Daniella a sketch.

"She is very pretty, who is she?"

"Her name is Miya."

"Why are you looking for her?"

"What difference does it make?"

"Understand that I am from Vatala, the great city. Surely you must have heard of it? If you are looking for somebody then surely there is the right place to look. Traders pass through there all the time and bring news of the kingdom with them."

Rohain listens curiously.

"If you can bring me back safely, not only will you have a better chance of finding who you are looking for, you could also make your weight in silver as a bonus."

"You have my attention."

"Lady Daniella Baldwin but you may call me Danniella." She says bending her knees while bowing her head.

"Rohain. This is Phantom."