Irisa

Chapter Six

After a speedy trial, Irisa found herself at the stocks at dawn. She hadn't fought, she knew it would've been pointless. The castle was armed with more men than she could count.
  Irisa tried her hands against the rough twine she had been bound with, but the knots were good and solid. Her arms were bare, had been washed off the second they caught her. Irisa craned her neck away from the post, hating how the rope scratched at her neck. The judge read out loud "Sentenced to death by hanging, as a result of the undeniable act of treason upon the house Ludenari..."
Irisa rolled her eyes. "Get on with it," she told him. "They all know why they're here."
"Miss, I am required by law to read out the charges..."
"Oh, hurry up!" A man shouted from the audience. "I have crops to tend to."
Irisa smiled and relaxed as more voices joined him. The judge frowned, his massive wig shifting slightly on his head. He clamped his hand onto the hair as if attempting to stop the edifice from moving.  His assistant stepped forwards, and the two broke into a heated argument. Well, Irisa thought he was his assistant. Thus far, the man had been solely occupied with holding the ends of the massive scroll the judge had been reading from. Irisa shrugged. She had seemingly left quite an impression, if those were the charges. The judge turned away from the assistant, wig akimbo on his head. He didn't even try to rectify it.
"Very well," he signalled to the executioner. Irisa closed her eyes as the footsteps came closer to the pole. She smiled. It was a beautiful day to die, with a clear sky and singing birds. The executioner came closer, and a light pressure destroyed the comfortable slack in the rope at her throat. Irisa's eyes searched out Fang. He nodded. She nodded back.
The platform dropped out from under her feet, and the rope tightened around her neck. Irisa felt her esophagus being compressed uncomfortably.
Then, a whizzing sound split the air. There was a tug on the rope, and then it slackened and she fell to the ground. Irisa turned back to pole, gasping. Imbedded several inches into the wood was her sword. She twisted back towards the crowd, and Fang gave her a mocking bow. All was quiet, and then chaos erupted.
"You fool!" Irisa yelled at him. "You could have taken off my head!"
"Oh please," Fang replied. "I have impeccable aim."
"You have about the same amount of aim as a one-eyed lizard." Irisa said calmly, yanking her sword from the wood and swinging it in an arc around her.
"Is hanging preferable to decapitation?" Fang demanded, glaring at nearby civilians as they fled in terror.
"At least I'd be full and well in the afterlife," Irisa muttered. She raked her gaze around the crowd, fixing her eyes on a flash of silver. She let out a curse. "The guards are coming. I hope you have an escape plan, or you could be dangling beside me."
"I do," Fang answered. "We just need to buy some more time."
Irisa hefted her blade. "That can be arranged." With a snarl, she charged at the armoured soldiers. She growled in delight as her blade hacked through their defences as if they were as insubstantial as mist. She blocked a stab from a pike and lashed out with her foot, kicking the soldier over before dispatching him with a thrust through the heart.
"She's a demon!" one cried, gazing at her in fear.
"Never fought a woman before have you?" Irisa asked, slicing at him. She tried to pull the ruins of her sleeves down around her forearms, but could not. Blasted Travan, she thought to herself. It's his fault I've ruined two shirts in one day.
Fnag's gravelly voice rose above the throng. "Lokrrahh!" he yelled. A whinny split the air and a black horse charged through the mob that was forcing its way through the gate.
"Lightning!" Irisa called. She ran to her horse and without stopping pulled herself on. With a dig of her heels Lightning dashed over to Fang. The Wulf gave a snarl and slashed at the soldier he was fighting, and then heaved his body onto the horse. Lightning surged forwards, leaping over the guards at the gate and onto the road. Irisa smiled at their shocked expressions as they sailed over their heads.
"Koordd!" she shouted, but Lightning didn't need the command. Her eyes were rolled back, showing the whites and she dashed off as though a pack of wolves were after her.
Irisa waved her sword over her head to rally Fang, and she turned back towards the castle. Their pursuer a were quickly drawing farther and farther away, until they faded into the distance. Irisa rode hard for a few more minutes, and then slowed Lightning to a walk.
"The town of Hoff is about twenty leagues down the road," she told Fang. "I have friends there that may shelter us for the night. Anywhere else is too far, and I'm not too keen on being robbed by a Gavrodii tribe while sleeping in the open."
Fang grunted an affirmative. "There are packs near there too, while I should be able to assimilate once we're done on the road."
Irisa nodded and spurred Lghtning on once more.
It was almost dusk when they spotted the lights of Hoff on the horizon. They road in with the last but if daylight, and tied Lightning near an inn.
"There's a tavern a few paces in that direction," Irisa said, pointing to the East. "My friend Farlah works there. We could beg to stay at hers overnight, and then find the Ragatorum.
Irisa pulled her hood up an pushed past the doors into the tavern. The entire place seemed to be choked in a cloud of alcohol, sweat and smoke. A woman worked behind the counter, taking orders and cleaning glasses. Her hair was messy and unbound, strands of it glued to her forehead with sweat and water. She passed a mug to a man on the counter and then stood. Irisa broke into a smile. "Farlah!" She called out.
"Irisa!" The woman replied. She came out from behind the counter and gave her a hug, before pulling her to a seat at the bar. "You must me starved! Here, order anything."
"Thanks Farlah," Irisa replied. "Have you met Fang?"
"I haven't," Farlah replied. "Nice to meet you."
Fang grunted.
"Do you mind checking the horses?" Irisa asked him. She wanted some time to catch up with her friend. Fang snarled but did as she asked, turning ing and striding towards the door.
"Who are you running from, Irisa?" Farlah asked. "You would not come to Hoff if there wasn't a reason. You know... " she dropped her voice. "The Ragatorum is here,"
"I am aware," Irisa replied. "I was almost executed today."
Farlah gasped, and Irisa clapped a hand over her mouth. "Shh, I escaped, but let's just say this area isn't the safest for me right now. I come seeking a place to stay before I ride like mad for Travan tomorrow. I'm going to slit his throat, the traitor." Farlah wisely didn't make any comments. Irisa shook herself. "Well, enough about me. Anything exciting happening in your life?"
"Well, you know..." Farlah chewed on her lip. Irisa laughed, feeling herself loosen up. It's had been a long time since she had had someone to talk to. Though Fang could be considered her friend, they argued too much to make their relationship seem lighthearted like hers and Farlah's was.

"Yes?" Irisa teased, leaning over on her elbows. She quickly gave up the pose though, wincing as her sword's scabbard dug into her hip.

"MyparentsfinallytoldmewhoIambetrothedto." Farlah got out.

"Slow down," Irisa replied. "Who is it?"

"It's Yurlak." Farlah answered, blushing a deep scarlet.

Irisa smiled. Betrothal was common among the humans, and betrothed couples normally found happiness in their parent's choices. Irisa too had once been betrothed, to a large and lazy man by the name of Jarim. He was handsome, she supposed, and wealthy, which was probably the reason her parents had chosen him. It didn't matter now, though; she had long since slipped a blade between his ribs. Yurlak and Farlah would make a good match. Both had clearly felt something other then friendship for the other, but had both decided to hold off until they found their betrothed.
"That's great news!" Irisa said. "When's the lucky day?"
Farlah blushed again. "Well, we haven't decided... It's too soon. You'll be on the list of guest for sure. "
"Hey! Barmaid!" A voice called. "Stop gossiping and get me some ale! My mug's run dry."
Farlah flashed Irisa another smile before hurrying off to obey the man's orders.

-----
Words of power:
Ignis-fire

Wulfish

Note: R's in Wulfish are either growled or snarled.

Frrahh Rrond'ra 'Fang'. Ra'crravrrarran 'Novrrack'.- Call me not 'Fang'. My name is Novrrack.

Novrrack- Fang, but in his native tongue

Grrrawrrd Rrrack M'krrad- I challenge you

Zlarkra

Koorrdd- Come

Lokrrah- Go

Flagrah- Leave

Gavrondii

Nvrawch ont refletcj!- It's awake!

Helvatian

Oe! Havral adure yeolle rookah!- Hey! What are you doing?

Jeon, lea vra treth thring grala- No, the girl doesn't speak (Helvatian).

Yeolle thring Helvera?- You speak Helvatian?