Short Stories

Not you... (𝕗𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕒𝕤𝕪/𝕣𝕠𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖)

וו×

  Faelyn watched with narrowed eyes as Calius adjusted his horse's sadle. He was wearing full battle armor, which gleamed in the mid morning sunlight, and had a sword strapped at his waist.

"I don't see why I can't join you." Faelyn complained, crossing her arms.

"A battlefield is no place for a lady." Cal responded with a slight smile.

"I'm better than most of soldiers in the king's army!" Faelyn exclaimed.

It was true. Faelyn had grown up sparring with her four older brothers until her combat skills surpassed even theirs.

"True." Cal agreed "But I'd feel better if I knew you were safe."

"And I'd feel better knowing I could do something to help protect my kingdom." Faelyn argued.

"Please?" Cal asked softly, turning away from his horse and cupping her cheek with a gloved hand "Stay here. For me?"

Faelyn met his eyes and nodded reluctantly. Cal's eyes studied her face for a moment, before pressing his lips against hers in a quick kiss.

He pulled away and mounted his horse.

A soldier rode up to him and stopped, gently pulling the reigns of his stallion.

"Captain Calius, it is time." he informed in a clipped voice.

Cal nodded and sent Faelyn one last smile, before riding off to join the ranks of Quintarian soldiers.

As soon as she was out of his sight, Faelyn hurried off to the armory.

"Good morning, Kerik." she greeted the servant who was cleaning a helmet.

"Should have known you'd pay a visit." Kerik muttered as Faelyn quickly stripped off her dress and corset, revealing a pair of leather pants and a tunic.

"Would you mind preparing a horse?" she asked him, picking out a breastplate and vambraces.

"As you wish, milady." Kerik walked out.

Faelyn examined a few of the narrow swords, swinging them through the air to get a feel for them. She chose one and buckled the belt with the sheath around her waist.

Faelyn jogged outside to the stables, where Kerik was waiting with a saddled horse.

"Thank you, Kerik." she acknowledged, hoisting herself into the saddle and gripping the reigns.

"Good luck, milady." Kerik nodded grimly.

She flicked the reigns and squeezed the horse's sides with her heels. The mare galloped forward and they were off, the wind and scenery rushing past.

~•~

Faelyn fell into place among the ranks of soldiers. No one seemed to notice the women among them, as her form was hidden under the armor.

The captains stood in front of everyone else, facing the rows of soldiers. Cal's eyes swept over the ranks, as if looking for something or someone.

His eyes met Faelyn's and his chest heaved in an exasperated sigh. But he didn't look surprised.

Faelyn sent him a small smile and winked. They were going into battle together, whether he liked it or not. He'd probably never really expected her to stay put. He knew her too well to know that she wouldn't sit by and watch as he fought.

Faelyn was a fighter, not a bystander. She was brave and the most incredible woman he'd ever met. He knew how much help she would be on the battlefield, but at the same time his heart ached at the prospect of how much danger she would be in.