FtF Anthology 2022

CDWC Challenge 1

A deep crimson painted Lycel's once vibrant golden locks, the blood that now rest splattered upon her body and within her hair dripped to the ground like a thick red rain. Pools of the thick crimson filled the battlefield in which the young woman knelt, the air stagnant with the metallic scent of death. Her burning ruby gaze was locked upon a growing pool of crimson, but it wasn't the blood that she was staring at, it was the reflection of the person staring back at her. A reflection that she might have recognized at one point, but no longer did. 

Staring back at her from the puddle of what had been her enemy's once flowing life force, the image of herself was reflected. However, she didn't recognize her own reflection. It was like staring a stranger in the eye, even if that stranger was you. 

What once were sweet and innocent blue eyes were now malice filled and bright ruby in color. Her golden locks had now been soaked crimson with the blood of her victims. That very trail of  enemies she already lay waste to spread out behind her as far as the eye could see. Within her hands, she grasped tightly a dagger and a single handed long sword. Both dripped with the blood of those who dared to try and stop her pursuit of her true target. 

As her ruby gaze lifted from the crimson puddle in front of her, Lycel let her eyes rest on the king in the distance. He sat atop his mighty black steed, trying to look all mighty and in charge despite the terror that swirled within his own eyes. Lycel pinned him with all the anger and malice she felt for the man. She found it funny that he would attempt to stand against her, stop her from claiming his life for the sinister acts he had brought down upon his people. She wasn't going to allow him to live any longer, not when he found ways to toy with his subjects in whatever way he could. Not when she herself had been one of those play things for as long as she could remember. 

She hadn't trained and prepared herself all this time to fail now, not when she was so close to claiming her prize. 

Lycel stepped over her most recent victim, a soldier that had thought they could stop her before reaching the king. Their attempt had only ended them in the afterlife where many of those she had sent before awaited their otherworldly judgement. She knew herself, when her end came, she would be going to the underworld for the life she had chosen to take up. A life of violence and death, leaving a trail of victims in her wake. However, as an assassin, one could not dwell on the lives you took unless you welcomed death yourself for getting distracted. 

As Lycel stepped forward, she watched as the man claiming to be the kingdom's ruling king turned tail on his steed and galloped back behind the tall stone walls of his castle. A handful of his soldiers following closely behind without question. Yet, a small handful remained, confused and in absolute shock of the retreat of their king and fellow brother in arms.

"Do not run from me, you coward!" 

Lycel roared, thunder crashing overhead being closely followed by the white flash of lightning. It lit up the sky and the battlefield revealing the carnage that had taken place not moments before. Lycel's eyes lit up, sparkling with ruby hatred while her pace picked up with every step she took. She was not going to lose her target so easily, not when he was finally within her reach. 

As she rushed forward, the soldiers that remained on the field turned to face her once more. Their hands shook, causing their grasps upon their own swords to waver ever so slightly. Uncertainty, confusion and terror muddled their minds, unsure if they should retreat with their king or remain in place to defend the castle walls. It was no more than a little girl attacking them, but that little girl had also managed to take out a number of royal soldiers on her own. A decision had to be made. . . and soon. 

"Stand ready men! We fight for our king! Don't let this little girl scare you! Stop her at all costs!" 

A soldier at the head of the group yelled out, ordering his fellow men for what might be the last time. His voice shook with fear, but he tried to cover it with confidence and conviction as best he could so his men would not be shaken anymore than they already were. He could not afford for them to lose their courage and cower like the king and their generals. 

The soldier raised his broadsword high into the air and swung it down towards Lycel's oncoming form, pointing directly at their target so his men knew where they were to go. He didn't have to look over his shoulder to know that his men were with him on this, the battlecry that followed his order was enough for him to know that they would stand with him till the end. 

As the battlecries rang out over the thundering roar from above them, the soldiers rushed forward to meet with their enemy. Their armor clanked together as they moved from their once shocked stupor, charging towards Lycel. A cavalry of armored men racing towards her, intent on stopping and ending her life like she had done to so many in the past. Even so, Lycel showed no fear as she too rushed forward, going straight for the wave of muddy armor and gleaming swords. Fear never once entered her being, but an overwhelming determination to complete her mission had captivated her entirely. . . and she swore she would not fail her final task.