Hellan
If this was an normal first night, the moon would be out bathing us with its silver grey light. The stars would be out shimmering their slow melody in the dark canvas of the sky, crickets, toads and mosquitoes would be out hosting their orchestra off croaks and high pitched noises and I would be asleep missing it all. instead of my warm bed I was out in damp clothes battling it out with the furious rain.
I sniffled hard trying to control the mucus that wouldn't stop trialling down my upper lip. I hugged my knees to preserve the little warmth I had left. Another flash of lightning illuminated the barn I had decided to take refuge in not only from the rain but also from the soldiers that were trailing my back. A clap of thunder threatened to collapse the already breaking apart barn.
'It wasn't my fault, they'd have killed me' I run these words over and over in my head to push the nauseating feeling that kept on creeping over me. I needed to leave but i was long out of energy. This was not worth the risk. i touched my pocket and felt the necklace I had put there.
Lightning flashed this one closer than the last and for a brief moment illuminated the path that led up the barn. My heart almost stopped before it quickened its pace. they'd finally found me. Thunder roared shaking the barn as six ladies clad in armour stepped inside. I tried shifting my sitting position but my broken elbow and ribs thought otherwise. they were beautiful each had blonde hair and mature facial feature, especially their eyes which clawed at me desperate to kill me. Their light armour though green seemed to draw light out of their surroundings. They were dripping not only rain water but also killing intent so loud I couldn't have missed it. With each step they took towards me, I prayed for the ground to swallow me and grant me a quick death. The one in the centre, probably their leader, drew her blade in a slow action probably to mentally stab me over and over before she pushes the metal down whatever part of me she chooses.
I still had my dagger and a bit of mana left to blow us all to darnation just needed her to come a bit closer, and closer the came until they just froze. in unison they drew their blades and took a step back. Theirs eyes were no longer on me so i strained and looked behind me. In the dark, i could only make the faint shimmer and shine of silver.
'you would commit murder in Nurr's house?' There was a voice from the dark. each word was laced with a killing intent so strong I subconsciously held my breath.
'We have no quarrel with you, this is a matter that doesn't concern you, be on your way' The lady who'd drawn her sword on me spoke each word with arrogance but I could feel how carefully she choose he words, how she didn't back them up with killing intent as the guy in the dark did.
'Whatever she did, don't you think she deserves a fair trial' again his words were damp with killing intent. Its either he wanted to kill us so badly he couldn't hide it or he was pleased with our reactions. A cat playing with a group of mice.
'She drew blood, by law we need her life' Her words were not as confident as before. I felt his gave shift from the ladies to me and I resisted a shiver.
'We should let Nurr's court decide what law demands of her' He spoke.
'No if I am taken to the emperor's court, ill be dead by tomorrow morning' I thought inwardly not stupid enough to voice my fear. The ladies looked at each other, then at me neither daring to move. He added with an icy voice.
'Or I can also decide what law demands' He said as he stepped forward enough for me to catch a glimpse of him when lightning flashed. The ladies sheathed their swords and started to leave none daring to show their backs to us. Thunder blasted as they vanished into the woods. So I wasn't going to die by swords that didn't mean I'd survive hanging when taken to Nurr's court.
'Are you fine?' There was no threat to his voice. It was soft almost bordering concern. 'Your elder sister is worried' he added after I took too long to answer. Linda sent him. I could almost hear the lecture she'd send my way once am home. I tried to stand and immediately regretted it. My knees buckled and I was still bleeding from the dagger I wasn't brave enough to yank out of my thigh. my elbows screamed and my ribs sent threats.
He stepped into view, though not clear, I could see the silver of his daggers, the dark leather of his boots, his black pants and jacket. He came to face those ladies and didn't even bother to put armour on. He kneeled to check on the dagger lodged in my thigh and I slightly crawled back.
He was from Keel's clan. I could tell by the silver blindfold that covered his eyes. No wonder he stood in the dark, This explains why the ladies were afraid of him. What was Linda thinking asking a keel for help. She'd just sentenced me o death. I couldn't stop the restless feeling that was creeping down my spine. He picked me up as if I weighed nothing. before I could voice anything, the world shifted into nothing but dizzying darkness. one breath I was in the barn, the next at our manor's gate.
The look on Linda's face would have easily killed a boar. I tried avoiding her eyes but they just burned, cleaving bits of my soul away. I wasn't sorry for where I had trespassed, wasn't sorry about what I'd seen and learnt. I was a bit sorry that I'd been caught and forced to kill those two girls which will be difficult to deal with, so I met here gaze and instantly looked away. The blindfold guy put me down and took a step back.
'Send my gratitude to your master' Linda called after him and just like we appeared, he left. Maids hurriedly carried me in and Linda followed behind not bothering to say a word. She stayed silent as an old crone worked on my wounds stitching them up, setting my bone right. She remained silent as I ate and as I was bathed. She finally broke her silence when I was in bed feeling drowsy from all the elixirs I'd drank. She sat next to me on the bed. One would think we were about to have a girly talk about boys and flowers we'd put in our hair.
'You killed two of her guards' Her voice was calm, the way she puts it when she's controlling her temper. 'She'll never let this humiliation go' She continued not bothering to let me answer. 'You've made a mess a big one, law demands I hand you to Nurr, let keel hung you' Her words were scary but not how I'd expected. ''Keel'' The name hung around us thickening with every thought I threw its way. I looked at Linda with a question filled face. She pulled me closer kissed my head and leaned on my shoulder.
'I called in a favour' Her tone, action, voice were not what I expected. She had still not thrown or broken anything. hadn't cursed, hadn't swore and I still hadn't been slapped. Instead she seemed sad, leaning on me, her brown dress partly on the floor. I looked at her tattoos, marks of power we all have to earn. A vine of thorns that stretched from her neck down her shoulder to her arms opening up to a rose on her palms. her's stretched all the way to her chest, opening up to another rose between her bust. Mine had yet to bloom on my palms.
'Get some rest' she gently laid me down as the elixirs started to take effect and pulled the blankets to cover me.