Golden Sword

Chapter 9

Never had she seen him so upset, so angry. "Are you serious?" he demanded for the umpteenth time. "Are you are really going to go off, without backup, to recon the enemy forces by yourself. Who knows how many of these, so called, supermen they have or exactly what their abilities are. Keika, you aren't really Supergirl. You are not made of steel. Arrows will not bounce off of you. If you only get injured, there will be no one to help you. And on top of that crazy plan, you are then going to help defend this castle while I sit safely on a horse somewhere down the road? Do you really think I am going to stand for that?"

They were in the room that Jack had given them for the visit, but anyone passing in the hallway would have been able to hear her mate complaining. "I will be careful, Eric, I promise. I am very skilled at stealth. I will not take any chances, but this must be done." He shook his head and placed his hands on her upper arms. "I'm going to lose you. You are going to take too many chances and I'm going to lose you. I.....I couldn't bear that. I can't live without you."

She reached out and pulled him close to her and placed her head on his chest. "I'm going to be ok, baby, please don't make this harder than what it already is. You have only seen a tiny bit of what I am capable of. I will hold you in my mind the entire time and I will not take a chance that will remove me from your arms, I promise. We both have responsibilities that are greater than our responsibilities to each other. Our families, our countries.......our duty, they have to come first, Eric, before our love, before ourselves. I'm the only one who can do this......and taking someone else with me would only endanger both of us. Right after we first met in the valley you said something about me. Do you remember what you said?" He looked unsure. "You said....that sword wielding fairy queen can be seen only when she wishes it.....and you were right."

He sighed, and she could tell it was in resignation. Finally, she thought with relief. After a minute of silence he said, "When will you be leaving then?" Still holding him to her, she replied, "I was going to leave in about an hour. Every moment is precious, Eric." "Yes," he snapped, "Yes it is.....every moment! Every moment that I have with you. Please, please at least stay this night with me." She looked up at him. Those beautiful long lashed blue eyes were in pain, pleading her. Her will folded, crushed by his power over her. She could not deny him this one request and relented, even though it was against her better judgment. She sighed and then smiled at him. "Ok, sweetheart, you win. I leave in the morning. Tonight is ours." In response he held her very tightly. "Thank you babe." he said softly. "It will be hard enough watching you leave then, but it will be better than tonight."

As luck would have it, Eric's demand for her affections that night proved to be fortuitous. Early that next morning an exhausted Alexander arrived at the castle, his horse covered with sweat, its chest heaving from the exertion. He had ridden from the camp set up for the recovering 1st Army directly here without stopping, except to pick up fresh horses in Gantham and then Patchwork. He had gathered valuable intelligence from the soldiers he had interviewed. Intelligence she could use in her pending mission.

From what he was able to piece together, the nation of the 'Empire of Paradise' is ruled by a leader only known as God, or the Master. He is worshiped as a God, and is reported to be capable of performing miracles and being able to kill with his touch. His face has never been seen. The leader of one of their armies is called a 'Bishop' and dresses in a dark brown hooded robe and wears a leather death's-head mask over their face inside the hood. He is reported to be a very dangerous being with greatly enhanced strength and speed, most likely enhanced in every way. The invader's supermen are called the 'Knights of Paradise' and are at least enhanced in strength and speed. Alexander suspected, again, that all of their senses were most likely enhanced, just like Keika. It didn't sound, however, like they had her incredible speed or agility. They are dressed in dark brown tunics and pants, with knee high brown leather boots. Over this they wear dark leather armor and leather helmets that cover the face. They are armed with a sword, a shield and two throwing spears.