The Two Mercenaries

Chapter One

'The departure of Myrinth'

Myrnith was called forth before the lead commander. She knew that his words would follow with a heavy burden and months away from the familiar lands of Helethia. His voice slowly turned muffled, as she caught sight of a lady so fair she could be mistaken for an elf, the kind children read about in stories, the kind that made men fall to their knees, undeniably besotted. She stood atop the western wall waiting and watching, her golden hair blending with the sun as it melted behind the outline of mountain peaks. Her face painted with grey shadows made it hard to make out her expression. Myrnith knew that by now her lips contorted into a frown, trembling, and her deep emerald eyes glossed over with unshed tears.

"No, no you can't." Fauna wept in Myrnith's arms. They hid in the depths of the forest, away from prying eyes and court etiquette. The trees around them formed a circle, their leaves rustling and falling at their feet whilst the moss was like a soft cushion on which to rest.

Myrnith's cheek pressed against Fauna's creased forehead whilst the arms found themselves wrapped around her waist. She rocked her, peppering kisses on her pale skin. It was illuminated like pearls in the light of the sun making her look so beautiful, so ethereal.

"I have seen you." Fauna looked up. Her didn't reflect Myrinth's. Instead there was the echo of something else, something true.

"I have seen you fall by the Blackwood mountains." She gripped onto Myrnith's bare arm slightly pinching her tawny skin.

"The south will take you away from me." Fauna sobbed, her chin wrinkling and nose turning a berry pink.

"I will return, I promise. I'll return with good news and aragonite plucked from the depths of the sea so that it can sit atop your veil like a beautiful crown." Myrnith cupped Fauna's cheeks caressing them before bowing the head. With their breaths still shaky and hearts filled with sorrow they deepened the dance they had fallen into, this soft and lasting kiss becoming a sweet parting goodbye.

By the time the sky faded from a deep black, to a pale blue Myrnith found herself by the gates of the castle. There were many servants at hand tacking up the horse and draping supplies behind the saddle as well as on the sides. They would last a week, and just as it was planned, she was to arrive at Stranglers bay to restock foodstuffs at the brink of the seventh day.

A crowd gathered, both the noble family as well as the lowest of stature. All of them watched as the first mercenary mounted her tall steed. The ends of the black cape heaved up with the jump and polished black boots slid into the stirrups making the horse tap its hooves against the ground in anticipation.

"Myre." She had recognized the voice of a friend, her only friend. She turned to look at his disheveled strands of black hair, and a smile so infectious it made the corners of her lips pull upwards ever so slightly. He rushed down into the courtyard two, stone steps at a time, bumping shoulders and almost tripping over.

"Iive." 

Her attention strayed, once again focusing on Fauna who stood upright and stiff by her father's side. Although her head was lowered, her eyes were stuck to the gloved hands of her lover. They were filled with pain. Pain you would see in someone found grieving a loved one. That had only made Myrnith's heart plummet. Fearful of her slipping courage she could not stand to look at her anymore, instead she bent down a little and lifted Will's hand. Into bare palms she slipped a ring.

"Give this to her."

She moved to sit upright readying herself for the winding trail ahead of her. It was barren past the village until a small, stone bridge marked the crossing into a large patch of oak so tall its leaves covered every single inch of the forest bed. It was as haunting as treacherous, a maze that could be trekked with only the help of a torch.

Will forced the ring back into her hand. It was only when she set her gaze on him again that she realized how pale his usually vibrant eyes were, and how dark the circles under them became.

"This ring is hope. Don't abandon hope."