Following A Road ( Terion )

[Narne]

The rain had settled in, and it was cold. The sky was a dark blanket of grey, not allowing the sun to reach out and warm the corners of the world. The roads were a grubby and sticky mud, squishy to push your bare feet in, and enough to leave fresh tacks for followers to find you. The cold weather bit into flesh of bare hands, making them numb until a warm breath brushed over them. The wet crystals of rain soaked into the material of clothing and overthrows, and dampened hair until it could be dampened no more. The mud contaminated the bottom of the garments, yet it bothered her not.

Ireland’s weather could be quite brutal, especially to people who knew the lands not. To those who knew it, were immune and could cope with the fierceness with it. Along the road travelled a woman, with no other companion except a goat. Her feet were bare, and her shoes in her hands. Her golden tresses dampened from the rain. However, she seemed generally happy and even though she was low on coin she still appeared able to keep herself healthy. She was not overly thin, she had fat on her bones. Beneath her cloak sheathed a sword, but well hidden, so that she could surprise any attackers. She knew she was being followed by a few marauders, so she kept a consistent speed. She knew she left tracks, but the way the rain was falling they’d be washed away. She judged it was not far to the next town, so she’d be fine. She just had to keep going, and to keep herself going at a constant rate, she sung aloud.

Her feet lightly prancing in the mud as she sung, and danced to her own melody, “Walking through the mist, she listens with her heart… Searching for someone to touch her soul… shadows up ahead, hiding in the trees.. She’s young but she feels… so very old…”

She leapt upon a fallen long, that lay half way across the road, and instead of leaping to the ground again, she walked fully balanced across it, still singing, “..sounds are running less… the silence of the night… blend and mix together all around…,” when she came to the end she turned herself to focus on where she had come from. She gathered her skirts, and back flipped off the log, then turned around and began travelling again, “… star crossed lovers pass, not seeing through the dark… to ancient lands where souls run aground…”

[Terion, King of Ireland]

An arrow struck the right side of the goat as Narne walked over the log. The goat let out a bleat but before it could utter another, a second arrow struck it in the neck and the goat was silenced forever. The cause of the arrows would be quickly identified as six men in black came riding towards Narne. It was not shock at all that they were bandits. Ireland was full of these types of people, just trying to get what they could for themselves with little or no consideration towards anyone else. Terion had been trying to rid the country of these types of people since he had been placed King, however it was an overwhelming and seemingly impossible task. The men rode up to Narne and surrounded her. Two of them carried spears, which they pointed at her and all of them grinned manically at her through their dark hooded faces. The others had their weapons draw, all but one had a sword and he wielded a mace. Three of them dismounted and approached her. “Well well, we have a lone lassy here.” One man grinned, flipping his sword in his hand. “Perhaps we can have some un with er?” Another man remarked. Several others grinned.
“We can do this easily….or you will die.” The leader of them said. Well, she was going to die anyway, they just weren’t going to tell her yet.

[Narne]

As she looked to the land she had ventured forth from, her mind wondered how on earth she had willed herself to travel. One day she had just decided to walk, and since that day had never truly stopped. Many folk thought her reckless to move about without a horse, but she simply argued, why ride an unwilling creature when one is gifted with walking. Leaving the folk to ponder on that, she left them in an utterly confused state.

Suddenly the bleat of the little goat, which had been her companion for so long, caught at her ear, and she sharply turned to see his grey hide covered with a splodge of seeping blood, and a rather large wooden arrow, sticking out from the wound. A moment after she had cast her glance to the goat, it was silenced. All that was left, was a carcass, of what the animal had used to be. It had relied on Narne, to the point where it followed her willingly. She looked up to see a ring of men surround her. Weapons drawn and pointing at her. Her heart began to beat faster, realising that this certainly was not a good position to be in.

“You bastards,” she said, returning her gaze to them, and then with a finger counted them aloud, “Now there is…One, Two, Three… Four… Five, Six,” she pulled out a handkerchief from her garments, and wiped her face as though she was besotted with gloom, “And only one of me… what is a poor girl to do?”

These men had ideas for her, and what they could do to her, but little did they know that this girl was also planning something for them. She threw her cloth at one of the horses, which made it rear in fright, and baulk. The horse beside it began to side step, and within moments Narne had her own sword withdrawn, “Men, I introduce you to Neamhain Ó Catharnaigh,” she held the sword in the hawk defence position, which let what light could gleam off it to show its radiance, “.. under no circumstances under estimate her.. I give you a fair warning.”

[Terion, King of Ireland]

At first, Narne began to mock the men and they immediately did not take to this sort of treatment. However, when she drew her own sword, they quickly took it as an opportunity to let out their frustration. They were not going to hesitate in attacking her, even if she did hold a sword. They did not think that a woman could possibly put up any sort of fight. Well, they would have been a match for her, because after all, there were six of them. Narne, never had to attack any them because three of them were shot down with arrows and the other three, before they attacked her, fled the scene. They were; however, run down by a small squad of cavalry while another group of cavalry came up towards Narne. There was a rather handsome looking man at the front, beside him a man whose face was covered by a helmet. The man with the helmet carried a banner and it was of the king of Ireland. Terion, came upon the woman once the horses of the bandits had scattered. She still held her sword and Terion remained on his horse, “Hello fair maiden,” Terion beckoned, “May I offer you save passage?”

[Narne]

Narne was not afraid of a fight. She was almost always prepared for one, even if her sword was struck down, she was well equipped with fists and hands, and an intentionally flexible body. She watched the frustration boil out in the attackers faces. It would make them all the more interesting to contest with. Frustration was one of those key feelings that made people act on nothing but it, without any common sense and so forth.

As they began to advance towards her, ready to attack, the three that were closest were shot down by arrows, which remarkably like her goat had appeared out of no where and then suddenly, the others were running off. Talk about cowards! She lowered her sword from its defensive position, supposing that no arrows were intended for her, and that at the moment she was probably safe. She saw infantry ride out of the shadows the forest formed, some separated and went after the three that had rather quickly made a run for it, while others came forth and towards her.

She removed her hood, and moved her cloak aside to place her sword in its respectful place. Surely she was in no further harm, because those that advanced towards her, showed no sign of wishing any more struggle then that they had interrupted. She watched some of their faces, and indeed most of the faces were covered by a shinny metal armour, which made it hard to confirm their expressions. A few she glanced at seemed a little relived, some with interest and some who plainly wished to complete the task, and therefore sat upon the horses with a keen eye upon her.

One rode towards her, and further more remained upon his horse. Beneath the helm, it seemed he had quite a good set of features, yet sometimes her eyes would betray her upon those type of assumptions. She took a deep breath, and looked around, until the voice of the man came to her ears. She seemingly returned her glance upon the fellow, noticing he carried a banner. She guessed the banner was that of the King. It was highly likely in these situations that the one that carried the banner was not the King, but was indeed the false King. This action would save the King from any unexpected ambushes, and in most situations it was reliable. Yet, it was not a 100 % accurate at all times. So she decided not to address him as The King and made a fool of herself, she rather awiated upon his introduction. If he gave his name, she'd consider giving him hers.

“I thankyou Sir,” she spoke kindly, almost wishing that they hadn’t jumped in when they had. She had looked rather forward to a fight, if anything for the revenge of killing her companion for no apparent reason, “… and your men,” she gestured to them, “I believe you interrupted the social gathering at a rather pleasant time, and thus I am in your debt.”

A grateful smile crossed her sun kissed face, as her eyes once again captured the image of the man that had first addressed her. She decided she should act courteous at this point in time, after all they had probably saved her life. She was strong in battle, but she still had a bit to learn, so consequently she did in some manner owe them one.

[Terion, King of Ireland]

Terion could only guess what this woman was thinking. He didn’t really know what to make of her. She was a single woman, she had a goat but that didn’t count, she was cloaked and had a sword that she was apparently attempting to wield. The playful side of Terion just wanted to duel her right then and there, but the kingly side told him to keep his place and his position as king. So, Terion smiled when she addressed him and thanked him for saving her. “Indeed, no subject of mine is in my debt, I am in theirs.” Terion said and then with a swift and graceful movement, dismounted from his horse and approached Narne. “But tell me, why would one of my subjects, a fine looking one to be sure, be traveling alone? These are not the safest times, as there are transitions to be had and “dangerous” people about.” Terion proclaimed. He turned to the man holding his banner, “Gringol, take the…” But Terion stopped his words when the man dropped out of the saddle as an arrow struck him under the shoulder. Terion wasn’t expecting an ambush and his men were not either. However, most of them managed to raise their shields and protect from the next volley. Terion moved to his horse and withdrew the shield that was resting on its side. “Circle!” Terion proclaimed, holding his shield up as two arrows glanced off. Terion peered from behind his shield once he had reached Narne, hoping to protect her a bit. Two men approached him as the circle formed, “These are no bandits, surely a rival lord!” Terion nodded and looked over at Narne. “Of course, there are those that do not wish to be my subjects.” Terion acknowledged. Terion saw a small charge of men coming towards his circle and he drew his sword.

[Narne]

Narne watched the man, like a curious child. One that probably had never seen a man before. However, her stance remained tall to show she was not intimidated by any man that sat on his high horse. She could be as easily stubborn and wilful as any man, and she was indeed quite a strong lass. She watched him dismount the horse in a swift movement. All she could think of was the relief that the horse was probably going through. Narne was the type of person who did not rely on animals to get her places or carry her burdens. If they wished to travel, she would not have to lead or harness them. She was also against meat, and would eat no animal. It was odd, but her own origins had brought her along that track. The past, had come to the present.

“I travel alone simply because no other will travel with me. What was once my companion, now you see lays dead,” she sighed. She looked at Terion with a raised expression as he spoke of these times not being safe, and there was dangerous people lurking about, “Dangerous times? Is not life full of danger? Hmmm…. I am accustomed to it. No road is safe.”

She watched as Terion turned to one of his men, whom held the King’s banner. Her suspicions were raising towards Terion being the King, however, she still would not refer to him as King, yet. Then the rider dropped from a saddle two arrows planted deep within his back. His horse, startled from his rider’s fall, side stepped and bumped into another horse. Within moments the army that had saved her once before, were encircling her and the King. She listened to him speak about his subjects, as she peered from in between the shields, she reached for her sword. No longer was she going to play the damsel in distress.

“Well Sir, I am not your subject either. I’m a simple traveller,” as she finished the sentence, a small charge of men were coming there way. Instead of looking to them, she turned swiftly around, and watched the area behind them. They were circled, but not outnumbered she gathered. Her sword was held tight in her hand, and then the battle came. The group of men attacked the front flank. The clash of metal and shields broke the quietness and natural music. Narne thrust her hair behind her ears, and turned swiftly to Terion, “We are surrounded,” she informed him, “However we are not outnumbered. I am guessing there are four archers positioned in the trees, and another four men to each of our flanks,” she shrugged, and gave a childlike smirk, “Just a speculation.”

Suddenly one of the attackers had broken the line and came up behind Narne. The very corner of her eye had caught him coming her way, with an eager drawn sword. However, he was unaware of her swords position, and as he came up behind her ready to strike. She gripped her sword’s hilt in both hands, and flung it into the stomach of the man, who still remained behind her. She heard the muffled gasp, and she withdrew her sword from him. Turning rather quickly and head butting him, “That was for the goat!”

[Terion, King of Ireland]

Had this woman just told him their current battle predicament? Terion had assumed that there were just a few archers, but he didn’t really know how this woman could make the assumption that there were four on either corner of him. Terion didn’t even know that yet and he had been fighting for half of his life. So, unless this woman had been fighting longer than he had, which was unlikely because of her age, he couldn’t see how she could be so perceptive in the battle unless she was in on it. However, he did not have time to question her motives, her reason for being there or anything else because she charged off and downed a few men that broke through the line. Well, Terion had forty men, most of them dismounted by now. They stood in a good circle and formed a tight shield wall, which protected from most of the arrows. There were not many arrows flying now anywhere because of the charge. Terion guessed that they were outnumbered because usually a lesser ground force did not assail cavalry, no matter how many archers. Terion didn’t keep an army with him, although at the moment he wished he did. Terion was behind his wall and he sort of wished he wasn’t. Terion was fighter by heart and when he was protected, he seemed so useless. Terion went over to Narne and put his hand on her shoulder, “Perhaps you should leave the fighting to us.” Terion yelled over the sounds of battle. Terion looked up over the soldiers and saw another swarm coming towards them from another angle. Terion moved to the shield line, right on the front and center, taking the brunt of the charge on his shield, bracing himself for the force. Then the killing began. Terion stabbed forward from behind his shield, his sword slicing underneath one man’s armpit. Another man was downed as Terion knelt down and slashed his Achilles tendon. The man flopped like a fish out of water. Several more of Terion’s men fell and Terion did his best to keep the wall, yelling for his men to fold together and form a tighter line. They were superior in armor and skill; however, numbers did come in handy for the enemy. At a pause in charges, another volley of arrows came down onto them, downing two more. Terion watched the cavalry unit that had chased the three soldiers engage a battalion charging, running over most. “Move forward!” Terion yelled. He needed to get out of this situation and he needed to get the death trap they were in moving. `

[Narne]

Narne took a deep breath as her eyes moved around the attacking force. Their attacking movements were odd indeed, and they attacked with no due caution. Which tended to confuse her. However, who really needed motives in this era to fight? Many fought because they were told too and in cold blood, or because they had been brainwashed into hating others for some uncanny reason. Her sword was laced in the blood of the man she had attacked, and as she moved out into the group, she prepared her conscious for battle. An arrow flung past her, and she looked up at the direction it had come from. Sure enough she could see the shadow figure of a man hiding in the trees branches.

She turned hearing Terion come up beside her, the grip of his hand upon her shoulder . He spoke loudly, so that his voice was not lost in the consistent clashes of metal and yells from men. He seemed to be telling her that she could not fight, or that this was no place for a woman. She rolled her eyes, and as he tore off into the forces coming towards them and braced himself behind his shield, she could not help but laugh at his mindlessness. She gathered that they were not outnumbered, but if a few more men died, it was possible that they could be, and they needed as many arms as possible, if they wanted to assure a victory.

The commands came forth, and she watched as every man at arms attempted to move forward. A few either struck down by arrows or the “enemies”. Narne darted into the shadows of the forest, escaping the clash and fighting of those on the road. To some who might have seen her, it may appear she was running for her life, but oh! Would they have the wrong impression. She found the tree she had collected in her mind, placed her bloody sword in its sheath, and leapt to the branch closest to her. She hauled herself up, and climbed as high as she could get. She had aimed so this tree, was just opposite the archer. She crept along one of the trees thicker branches and then launched herself at the unexpected archer, whom seemed occupied with watching the battle on the ground. She grabbed him from behind, so that he felt unstable. Her hand covering his mouth to muffle his cries. She reached for one arrow, and sliced his neck.

No time for mercy. She reminded herself. In moments she had equipped herself with his arrow and quiver. Balancing his body on the tree, so it did not fall and give away her position, she looked around for the other archers. Her eyes haunting the tree tops nearby, and across the path. She sighted one, and removed an arrow and placed it in the quiver. She dropped herself to the next branch, which she landed on rather awkwardly, and aimed the arrow at the other archer. Then she released it, and watched it sail towards him. It was possible that branches would alter the arrows path and not hit him, but her luck privileged her, and hit him. When she was sure she had not been seen, she dropped to the ground and then returned to the battle on the road.

She pushed herself into the battle, attacking whoever attacked her. She copped a good blow to the stomach that winded her, and another to the face that split her lip. However she fought on, and killed another two men, before she rejoined the group and came up beside Terion, her hand went to his shoulder as she regained her breath, “Two archers are out of the way,” she raised the quiver to his sight for a quick moment to prove she had killed, and then her attention turned back to the battle. Narne slung the quiver over her shoulder, and once again withdrew her sword.

[Terion, King of Ireland]

The fighting had only become more fierce and high-spirited, the only problem was that Terion’s men were falling and the soldiers that they were fighting against just kept coming. Terion and his men had reached the forest line but he didn’t know if it was going to help anymore. Terion had no way of knowing whether or not the ambushers were in the forest as well as alongside the road. He was in a predicament and he knew it. He wasn’t exactly thrilled to be there either. Terion didn’t like being in a battle that he did not know all the statistics for. If he was forced to fight with an army and with proper information, he could proof to be a very formidable opponent. This was not his favorite style of fighting to be sure. Terion looked over at Narne. Apparently she had disregarded his request for her to stay within the group and stay protected. The whole point of his men being here and stopping for her would be void if she were to be killed. Terion would not like to die for nothing. He would have no problem in dying for this woman; however, it met that she needed to stay alive. Terion and the remaining twenty-one soldiers circled around and took the brunt of the next charge. Terion took command of this engagement and took the life of four of the attackers. Another fury of arrows flew down onto them and Terion protected Narne once again with his shield. Terion looked out and another charge was coming towards them. Terion’s men were weary and they staggered a bit in their formation. So, this was not going to go well for them. Terion couldn’t bear to see his men or Narne be put into any more danger. Now, Terion had no idea of knowing how many more men there were, but he knew there couldn’t be an endless supply. “Move!” Terion ordered and two men backed away from the line and created a hole for Terion to move through as he walked out of the circle. He twirled his sword as a few arrows passed him, one actually glancing off his sword. The men charging came head on and Terion jumped into them. Well, he was going to die, or they were going to die and anyone in Terion’s group of soldiers was betting on Terion. Terion fought like a raged animal that had been injured. Terion sprawled, dropped, dodged, rolled, stabbed, slashed, cut, and creased, ducked, and any other motion. Terion’s men knew that he was in a state that caused him to do rather odd things. One of his men was not going to stand by and watched and he pulled the whole circle forward and they ran into the already stunned crowd of men, pushing through them towards the opposite side of the road and the archers. The remaining soldiers on the enemy’s side took this as a chance to run as they were already backing. The battle was looking much better. Terion stood amongst his soldiers, eleven dead men next to him.

[Narne]

Battle could be such an evil thing. Lives were thrust away so quickly. Killing was not something to be proud of, taking another’s life was surely an evil deed. Narne knew this, many men and some women she had killed. Every night she was haunted by them, every night she saw their faces; all the people she had killed. It was not a pleasant thing. When she returned Terion’s orders were quickly taken into action, and once again the men surrounded her. She rolled her eyes at this, however she gathered that this society was forming into another where women were seen as inferior, and incapable of defending themselves. However, she went with the flow, keeping an arrow within the quiver, and occasionally aiming at a few “enemies” and shooting them down.

For what seemed over an hour, the line of soldiers before her kept their ground, eventually driving the charging men off. The “borrowed” arrows were on an almighty low, and she only had two left. She was glad to see the attackers run away with their tails between their legs. However, now she had to live up to the fact, that she was not one that obeyed orders.

There was a small cut to her lip, with a little blood seeping from it. Her sword, still sat at her side, tinged by crimson blood. However, it troubled her not. One of her hands ran to her head, and brushed her hair back and out of her face, as she took in a deep breath. She looked down at the dead men near Terion’s feet. A few were his men, and a few the enemy. She walked over to one man, who was holding his arm, a mass of blood seeping from a deep wound.

“Let me look,” she insisted. After a few hesitant moments, the man finally allowed her the privilege of looking at his wound. It was deep, and had penetrated into some muscle, however it seemed no tendons had been touched. She leant down and ripped some of her gown, and then tightly fastened it to his arm, “It’ll need to be sewn when you get home, wherever that may be.”

The man nodded, and quietly thanked her. Narne returned to a position beside Terion, and looked to where the cowards had ran off, “I believe thanks are in order, once again,” she said in a humble tone. The path was now a mixture of mud, and blood. Just beside her, lay a dead man. His eyes wide open. She crouched down, and closed his limp eyelids. She retained that position, as once again her eyes surveyed over the landscape the dead infested.

[Terion, King of Ireland]

Terion ran his hands over his eyes, his rage and his anger had released from his body and the dead men around him showed that. However, Terion now looked rather distraught. Usually when a king or a soldier defeated his opponent he was optimistic and proud, but Terion was not one of those people. Terion had lost too many men here, too many good men. He would go to their homes and bring their bodies to their families. He would tell their families exactly how they died, protecting him. They all fought valiantly and he would not forget their sacrifice. Terion secretly had a scroll of every man that had died for him as king and as a warrior of his village. Each night he prayed for their eternal souls. They had been good men, good people, good fathers, and sons. Terion hated to loose any of them. Terion looked up when Narne spoke to him. He sighed and nodded his head. He took out a cloth and wiped his sword with it before he sheathed it. Terion then stepped over the bodies and ordered some of his men to move the bodies of his bodyguard and make stretchers for them with the horses and the wood from the nearby trees. Terion finally turned his full attention to Narne. “I suppose so,” Terion said and looked down at several of the dead enemies. “To many died here today, all for a crown.” Terion said, referring to several nobles wish for him to not be king. Why they wished for him to not be a king, he wasn’t sure. However, there were always those that were going to oppose his rule because he was elected. He was not a blue blood, not a pure noble, but he could certainly act and think like one. Terion walked past Narne and looked out down the road as the last glimpse of the remnant enemy army disappeared over a ridge, “One day this country will be at piece and there were not be any civil war, any opposition between cleans. One day all the Celts will be at peace.” Terion mused to himself as he thought out loud. Terion turned around and looked at Narne. “Dublin is two days ride from here, longer because of our casualties. You will accompany me and my company there.” Terion requested in an almost ordering fashion. Terion only had fourteen men left. He would keep his garrison and his protectors. He doubted they would be attacked again. However, he doubted they would be attacked in the first place.

[Narne]

Narne still retained her kneeling position beside a body sometime. When she finally stood, she walked among the dead, checking the bodies to see if any had a pulse and were in some slumber. The men around her, got to work quickly. Taking care of the wounded first, before they started on the dead bodies. She took a deep breath, and watched Terion. She had to admit he had some fight in him, and you could see the rage and anger he threw into the battle by each of his powerful movements. Whatever caused him to have such reactions, she had not a clue.

Narne watched as Terion moved to watch the remainder of the cowards disappear over the moors. What motivated them to attack a royal garrison was not clear to her, however she supposed they were just common thieves. She wiped a hand across her forehead, as she came over to Terion’s side, where he watched the enemy disappear, “Meaning no offence Sir, but what you wish for is unattainable. There will always be a war to fight, there will always be unnecessary death. Until the day, where everyone is accepted for their differences and everyone’s opinions are respected, there will always be some civil unrest,” she sighed and rubbed the back of her neck.

She turned to look at Terion as he looked at her. Her eyebrows raised, what he said was almost like an order. Narne didn’t do orders. The only person she obeyed was herself. She knew he had a small amount of his army left, and would need as many as arms as possible to get back, but she was a traveller and under no-ones command, “And why will I do that?” she asked casually. She was not sure, whether she had any intention of going to Dublin, and there was no chance she’d be going on horse-back.

[Terion, King of Ireland]

Terion watched as Narne began to help whatever men she could and try to heal them as best she could. Terion watched her for a moment as his men began to gather themselves and what was left of their horses. Some of the horses were warhorses and hadn’t moved from their location after their riders had been killed or had dismounted. Several of the horses that were newly trained had run off and so some of Terion’s men were attempting to catch them. Several more of Terion’s men were rounding up the dead bodies of their fallen comrades and still, a few more were going into the trees to find anything adequate enough to be used as a brace and a device to carry the dead and wounded. Terion walked over towards Narne when she asked him why she would be coming with him. Terion raised an eyebrow. He was the king for one. That ought to be ample reason to come with him. He provided protection for her and that was a rather good second reason as well. However, Terion chose the third reason to speak to her. If he needed, he would bring up the first two that had come to mind. “Well, this whole fight would be forfeit and pointless if I do not show you safely to the destination that you were traveling to. My guess is,” Her paused, “Is that you don’t really have a destination and so I elect to go to Dublin where I can get supplied and we can journey from there. Now come, we must make haste and prepare for the journey. Do whatever it is that you must do.” Terion beckoned.

[Narne]

Narne was patient with the man. She had no like of obeying orders given to her, especially by strangers. He may claim that he was King, but he was not her King. She had no King, and would follow none either. She preferred herself to be a fence sitter, the type who would not fight because one lazy King had something against another. The only time she fought was for self defence, even then she disliked the idea of killing.

She watched Terion’s ample character find a reason as to why she should journey with them. She knew many reasons would cross threw his mind, and if he had none sufficient that he might use the fact that he was King against her. Another reason may be that she was in their debt. However, he tended not to use them, and instead used to battle as a way for her to travel with them. She took a deep breath and watched as some man went after some horses, “They’ll never catch them like that…” she mumbled plainly to herself.

She decided, by her own accord that she would travel with them. If not for protection, for the company. She was not always a loner, and she did quite enjoy the company of men. Many women could be so tedious, all they did was complain. They never truly lived through sitting in a room sipping tea all day. She nodded to Terion and then walked over to the outskirts of the forest, and began seeking out large branched to use to make sleighs for the dead. When she’d found a few good, she placed the in the pile the men had congregated and began sorting them out in which was sufficient to carry weight. Eventually they pulled the branches together, and with rope tied them together to make he sleighs.

After the sleighs were made, she helped place the bodies on them. She gained looks from a few men, who were confused about to react around her, however she just shrugged them off, and worked as rapidly as she could. She was aware that they probably might think ill of her, because she carried a sword, leapt into the fray of battle like a man, killed like a man and did anything woman might not do. However, that worried her not.

As soon as the bodies were on the slays and wrapped up, Narne told one of the men she’d return in a few moments. With that, she walked into the forest. When she’d came in the first time, she was aware that there was a stream nearby. Now the battle had been silenced she could hear it without a problem. She journeyed to it, and found a rock to sit on for a moment. She needed to wined down, always after a killing spree she needed too.

She cupped her hand and filled them with water and threw the cold liquid over her face. She sat back quietly for a moment, and took a deep breath. The small cut on her lip bothered her not, however she was aware she’d been winded earlier. She lifted her shirt up, to expose a nice little bruise that wrapped around her side. She placed her fingers on it, and felt for any broken bones or problems that might turn her ill.