Hello fellow readers and friends, I would just like say, this book is based on an RPG I'm playing at the moment, and the scenarios my character (Shaeh) has gone through. I hope you enjoy what I have written.(P.S. In case any of you are wondering, Shaeh is pronounced Sh - ay.) Belle Eclipse
Prologue
"If swords are the fighters, then what are daggers?" A middle-aged man crouches beside a girl, barely five-years of age. The little girl brushes her fingertips over the hilts of the 2 worn weapons, giggling to herself. "If swords fight, then . . . ", a finger runs lightly down the blade of the dagger, "daggers kill."
Present tense
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The crisp scent of autumn consumes the air, refreshing my nostrils. Petite feet glance the path, as I skip along the dirt road, kicking up leaves in the process. A tune, light and sappy, slips through my lips. I'm am soon lost in the music, closing my eyes, using my feet, and ears to guide me down the road.
Just as I sense a crossroad approaching I hear footfalls. Not mine. These are heavier, more headstrong. If you could call foot falls headstrong. Opening my eyes, I fall into a casual stride, hand resting on the hilt of my dagger. You never know who might be travelling at this time.
My keen eyes peer through the trees to my left, making out a muscular figure. I can see it's head darting from side to side, as alert for danger as I am. Oooh, a fair target. This could be interesting.
I slink into the undergrowth, padding through the trees, supple leather boots softening my step. I can feel my heart beating against my chest, threatening to break out. Anticipation slides down my spine, as I crouch, a cat ready to pounce.
My prey is now standing in front of me. I shift my weight, about to attack. SNAP! I cringe.
The person whips around, eyes penetrating my cover. Damn it, I think, letting out a growl. Taking a deep breath, my face is painted with a grin. Cautiously, I step out on to the place where the 2 roads meet, not daring to look at what was going to be my prey, and thrust my hand forward in an attempt of being polite. A gruff, but feminine voice greets me. In a way. "Who are you?" She grunts.
I look the women up and down. Or should I say just up? She is of medium height, but my head barely reaches her shoulder. She is dressed in an assortment of leathers and wool I do not recognize.
What concerns me the most though is an axe, the blade bigger than my head, slung over her shoulder, her hand resting on its handle with the same wariness I feel. It's a subtle move, but an intimidating one none the less.
Strong cheekbones slice underneath her eyes of a chocolate hue. As I register this, those eyes seem to be doing the same to me, taking in my wide ice-blue eyes, and tiny stature. She must think I'm a harmless little girl. Little does she know I'm more like a snake, a viper.
"I said, who are you."
I pull back my hand, which I'd left hanging in mid-air.
"Call me Shaeh," I chirp, "what's your name?"
"Ko."
This Ko is a fighter. In my mind's eye, I can see her, wielding that axe, it's menacing blade glinting in the sun. Someone like me needs a bodyguard to beat down the enemy. Like a meat shield. If she causes trouble I can just kill her in her sleep. Easy peasy.
Making up my mind, I look Ko straight in the eye, an innocent smile on my lips.
"Ko, since we are travelling on the same road, perhaps we could travel together, you can be my meat sh- . . . companion. As you can see I am reasonably, if not completely, defenceless."
Ko's forehead furrows as she scrutinizes me, weighing out her options.
"What's in it for me?"
Damn it, I'm going to have to blow my "innocent girl" cover. My face instantly changes to a manic grin.
"I can kill," I giggle, "I have can shoot a flying sparrow right through the eye from 10 yards away. And that's not the only thing I can do."
