The Dragons Descendant

Fort Blackwood (2)~Ketski's Armor

Fort Blackwood is a place I found full of drunk men and strong women. Most were barely of age and the rest had barely gotten past it. Yet it was full of warriors, however rowdy they were. Just yesterday I had taken a two day trip here, it was compromised that I would ride Kella there as Kane would shift and fly above, leading us to our destination. Because Kellas shoulder was at least two feet above my head, it was easy for him to carry me there. As soon as I arrived inside the gates, my dire wolf at my side, silence washed over the area, suddenly my armor felt heavy on my back and I couldn't stop my hand from falling onto the hilt of my blade and gripping it. The ebony sword somehow gave me comfort against all their stares. Finally someone broke the silence with a loud cheer and before I knew it I was settling down at home with these warriors.

"When is our first battle, Kane?" I looked at the man from the corner of my eye and saw him smile for the first time.

"We leave for battle at dawn, good luck, Captain." Quietly he walked from the crowd towards some place I took no note of. The soldiers around me slowly became hushed, one man stepped forward. As I observed him the first thing I noticed was that he was a stubborn man, and a cocky man. His broad shoulders showed strength, his height was intimidating, well it would be to anyone other than me. His eyes were such a dark brown they looked black, his hair the same. The armor he had on was mere leather, it looked like he made it himself, at least I was guessing that, I hadn't ever seen that type of design on armor before.

"Why should a scrawny girl be our Captain? You won't last two minutes in the battle tomorrow." I stared at him calmly and looked into his eyes. With a strong voice I replied back.

"Don't be so arrogant, boy. You wouldn't last one minute in a hand-to-hand combat with me. Watch your tongue." His lips twisted into a snarl and he angrily raised his fists. Confidently I followed suit and waited for him to make the first move.

"100 coins says I beat you." I grinned at him and clenched my fists while spreading my legs in a stance that it would be hard to knock me down.

Looking at his arms I saw his muscles bunch up and before his fist came in contact with my shoulder I reached forward and clasped it into my own hand. He glared at me and swung his left fist at me, I caught it in my other hand and all he did was make an inhuman growl and try to tug his hands back, but I wasn't letting him off that easy. Before he could move his feet to get a better stance I pulled my right foot back and drilled it into his shin, he doubled over and I let his fists go. Then I watched as he fell onto the ground clasping his left leg in his arms.

"That was something, Captain. Nobody's ever bested him in a fight." I only shrugged my shoulders slightly and pushed past the crowd to where i guessed the barracks were at. Only three soldiers followed after me, the rest disappeared into either the north tower or the main hall. The three that followed me I noticed were triplets, they were identical even in clothing. On ones back I saw bow and arrows, another two swords tied to the belt around their waist, and the last a great sword strapped onto his back.

"I was merely showing him his place, if he was your best man, well then, we've got something to work on. First things first, however, who are you three? Triplets?" They all smiled and nodded, the one that first spoke to me walked up beside me and explained who was who and how they came to Fort Blackwood.

"My name is Thorne, this is Jack," he pointed to the fellow with the two swords at his waist. "And this here is Gjorn. All three of us are triplets as you said, our father was General Tully and our mother Jane Tully. We were sent here when word got to father about the rebellion." Kella joined us and playfully rubbed against me and almost pushed me into Thorne. The three brothers cautiously eyed Kella, very untrusting of his loyalty.