After losing my short sword last night in a battle with a madman and my cousin, Falton’s only werewolf, I left early to search for it. While I did not find my sword, I did find quite a bit of sliver and a few bits of cloth, at least I could get some money for that. As I turned to head back to Falton, I pulled my breakfast, a small chocolate cake, out of my bag. I had skipped breakfast that morning wanting to get out before anyone else. The forest was so quiet and peaceful in the early morning, quite a contrast to the hectic activity that I knew would start up again within the hour.
Rebellion.
Rebellion against the Empress for whom I had worked so hard. Her Majesty might be a bit harsh and could probably use some better communication skills with her people, I grant you that, but she is not cruel, and I knew she could pull Falton through should they come. They were cruel, callous, and strong, but strong is she, also. Even when the best of us fell under a dark magic making us turn against our own, siding with a troll, she resisted and fought back. She broke the spell cast on her people and restored peace. This was the strength and leadership we needed to survive against them, the strength I needed not 5 years ago. But that is the past, this is now.
And now I must work to protect the Empress. I know I am not skilled with words. I cannot sway the hearts of men and women with great speeches, especially those already so determined, so closed-minded, so sure that rebellion is the right choice. If only I could tell them what can, and inevitably will, happen without such a strong leader, I might be able to save them. If I could succeed this time then perhaps this small victory could buy me the time I needed to finish this once and for all – to save all people – but for now, I must do my best to keep these people together, united as one, for only then shall we survive. If we are leaderless, divided, then we shall fall.
I absentmindedly bit into the cake while walking past the tree that nearly went up in flames the night before when the blissful silence was broken by something, no, someone crashing through the trees. I turned just in time to see a young boy charging at me with his weapon drawn. With the cake in one hand and my bag in the other, I had no choice but to turn and run. Tossing my bag off to the side, I shoved the rest of the cake into my mouth and drew my sword. What I would give for my short sword now! I turned to face the boy and found he had two friends – a man who was a bit taller than the boy, and a woman coming not three steps behind.
I breathed deeply trying to control my breath, which is difficult after running a ways with mouth full of food. I began backing up slowly, planing in my mind how I was going to defeat them all single-handedly. Literally. While still thinking, I noticed something bumping my leg every time I took a step. Not daring to take my eyes off my attackers, I reached down with my left hand and found a battle ax hanging off my belt, then I remembered. Arensson had lent it to me when I mentioned I was going to look for my short sword. While I don’t trust him, he has been helpful in the past and he doesn’t pester me about my history, unlike some, and I appreciate that. And now I couldn’t be more grateful to him for letting me borrow the ax.
Wasting no time, I drew the ax and it seemed the boy took that as a challenge and charged. I dodged back and to the left and gave his shoulder a small cut. I didn’t want to permanently damage the kid, I just needed to persuade him that attacking me wasn’t the best choice. He reeled back a few steps, and the taller man stepped up in his place. Well planned, I thought, and continued to circle them with large, slow steps. The man, equipped with a pole arm, took no time in attempting to stab at me. I blocked it with the ax and slashed at his side and again at his leg. With both hits finding their mark, I backed up a few steps and into the small boy who gave me a good cut to the leg. Staggering, I backed up a good bit more until I had all three of them in my line of sight. I resumed my circling and got a few more hits on the man and one more on the boy when a voice from behind me yelled,
“HEY!”
My heart sank. Who now? Rayth? I really didn’t want to be accused of fighting these three. I didn’t start it, I was only defending myself! But who would believe me? I turned to see Blackwall walking up and looking angry. I glanced at my attackers to find them all backing off with their hands up. Slightly amused, I jogged over to Blackwall. It was nice to see him in human form again. He put his arm around my shoulders and asked. “ Are these three giving you trouble?” Being quite out of breath, I only nodded in response and we walked towards the trio who, only moments before, were actively trying to murder me. “What do you think you are doin’, messing with my cousin?” he asked them. “It was his idea!” said the man and woman in unison pointing at the boy. Blackwall looked down at the boy who stuttered something of an apology. Blackwall turned back to me and asked, “Are you ok? Any major damage?” I shook my head, “I’m fine but they made me drop my breakfast,” I jokingly pouted. Blackwall laughed but the trio seemed too shaken to pick up on my sarcasm.
Seeing that all was well, Blackwall turned to the trio and began to strike up a friendly conversation with them as only Blackwall can. Telling myself to remember to thank him later, I picked my bag up and turned back towards Falton wondering if the Lonelee Rode Tavern was open yet …