Velvet Death

Sabre

I awoke with a start, my mind instantly clear and working a mile a minute. Someone was banging on my door unbearably loud. Who dared to wake me in such a way? Sighing, I stood and pulled my thick blanket off. With a stretch and a groan, I strode over to my door and yanked it open, my eyes sharp as I searched for the person responsible for waking me. It was the King's servant, Ralk. I leaned against the door jam, watching him.

"What is it you want now? or should I say what is it HE wants now?" I asked, crossing my arms. Ignoring my less than welcoming tone, he answered.

"King Kell has sent me to inform you that you have been assigned to the battle on the edge of the Barrier Forest. The Gorlonian troops have been depleted, and the Churanians are gaining an advantage. There are reports that the champion of Churah has been sent into battle there as well, and is slaughtering all those who come in range of his sword. Your skills are greatly needed there" he said. The Barrier Forest was a vast forest stretching between Churah and Gorlon, and where most of the major battles had been fought. So, I would be fighting against this champion everyone was speaking about sooner than anticipated.

"Fine then, when am I leaving?" I asked, expression blank.

"You leave in two hours. Don't worry about provisions, or your armor. Everything will be packed and loaded onto a pack horse for you. All you need do is say your farewells, and saddle your personal horse" he said. I nodded my thanks and shut the door without another word. Quickly, I put on traveling clothes, light, broken in pants and a shirt. Once I was presentable, I quickly made my way to the dining hall. Everyone in the castle ate whenever they chose to in this hall, there was always a few plates of food out ready for someone to eat. Settling into a seat in the corner of the hall, I tucked into my eggs and ham. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a movement, and I could see Kristos through the open doors, walking down the hall.

Suddenly, I remembered that I had to say my good-bye to him. I jumped up and ran into the hall, yelling his name after him. He turned swiftly, a smile spreading on his face as he caught sight of me.

"Oh! Armalin! I was just heading to your room to find you!" he exclaimed as I fell into step with him.

"Kristos, I am leaving within the hour, I came to say goodbye" I burst out. I hated saying good bye.

"Armalin, that is what I was going to tell you, I heard... and I asked King Kell to send me to the battle as well. I convinced him a skilled warlock such as myself could prove useful in such a battle" he said, still smiling.

"What? Why would you do such a foolish thing Kristos? This is some stupid male complex isn't it, you are trying protect me, aren't you?" I demanded. I knew how he thought. Attempting to look shocked, he shook his head vigorously.

"Why, no! of course not!" He replied, yet I saw the twinkle in his eye. He was happy to get away with it. Angrily, I turned and strode down a separate hallway. I made my way toward the stables, I had no one else to say farewell to, in fact, I NEVER had someone to say farewell to at all. Foolish man.

My pitch black gelding, Sabre, whickered as I approached, swinging his head to and fro. Beyond swordplay, horseback riding was my second favorite pastime; naturally, Sabre and I spent much time together. I greeted my four-legged friend with an affectionate scratch between his ears, before patting him on the neck and beginning the grooming process. I always chose to groom and saddle my own horse, besides the fact that I did not trust others enough to handle my horse, it was also a surprisingly soothing task.

However Sabre was saddled and ready all too soon, and the open road awaits.

~~~~

Sighing, I dismounted from Saber. We had ridden for 3 days, and it when we arrived it was the middle of the night, and pitch black save for the flickering of torches. The ride had been very trying, seeing as I had forced myself to ignore Kristos the whole time. Yet I could feel his eyes on me, and I knew there was a satisfied smile on his face. He was proud that he had managed to get himself sent into war! Sometimes I couldn't understand him at all.

I led Saber to the temporary stable that had been erected on the outskirts of the camp. Once my horse was taken care of and in the hands of a stable boy, I changed my course to the center of the camp. I was almost positive that the general's tent would be there. Just as I had anticipated, a grand, blood red tent stood tall and proud in the center of camp, lit from the inside by the warm glow of many oil lamps.

I didn't have to worry about Kristos, he would most likely be reporting to his own personal tent to partake in whatever magical recreations he did in his spare time, so I proceeded to pull back the flap to the large tent, and entered. The general and his advisors stood around a central table, with maps of the border forest spread out across it, as well as rosters and charts. So, I had come at the right time. They were preparing for the fighting that would take place tomorrow.

"My lady Armalin, how reassuring it is to see you here. We could definitely use you in the battles to come" the general said, a tight smile on his face. I nodded a greeting and came to stand beside him.

"What is your plan so far general? Where will I be stationed tomorrow?" I asked, wanting to find out as soon as possible so I could rest from my travels. Thankfully my tent would be stationed next to the general's, so I did not have to walk much farther.

"All of our troops will be charging head on against the troops of Churah, in an all out battle. We have determined that a battalion of their troops will accompany their champion around the battle in an attempt to come behind us and take out all of my advisors, as well as myself. They will attempt to leave our army leaderless. You will be given 10 troops to intercept him. I trust you can handle that?" he asked, a smile on his face. He already knew the answer to that question.

"Of course general. Now if you don't mind, I would like to get rest now. It has been a long ride to get here as fast as possible" I replied.

"Of course." And with that I swiftly walked out of the tent, turning to look for my own. I could tell by the royal colors, jet black and red, that the small tent beside the general's belonged to me. Inside, my armor was laid out on a makeshift pallet for me.

Slowly, I held the suit up and looked at it. My mother's... it would be a true honor to ride into my first battle in her armor. It gave me hope. Not that I would admit that to anyone. Suddenly, I realized how exhausted I truly was. Too tired to even care, I lay down on my bed with my clothes on, pulling my riding boots off with effort. Tiredly, I pulled the thin blanket over me, and let my body relax.

Yet somehow I could not find any semblance of relaxation, my muscles were tense with anticipation. By this time tomorrow... who knows what condition I would be in. Injured? Dead? Perfectly healthy? Only time would tell. And with that final thought, I let myself slip into unconsciousness.