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Chapter One

“Heroes in Peace Time.”

    Far along a forest path under a tall mountain lay a forest of emerald, green trees. It was a paradise by most estimations and usually silent and peaceful. However strange sounds rang through the forest, clangs of steel and the grunts of combat. In a small clearing just off the beaten path a warrior woman fell back to regroup. She was tall, broad shouldered and dressed in dark blue armor. Her black hair fell to her shoulders and framed her round face with a pair of braids. Black horns and long pointed ears came out from the sides of her head, and she had a long spiked tail trailing behind her.

    Across from her was a tall and athletic man in silver blue armor and long blonde hair. His ears were long and pointed like the woman, but he lacked the tail and horns that she carried. The blonde-haired man smirked at the woman. “Malstromeda you always employ such heavy-handed tactics.”

    “The way we were trained is so rigged and formal.” Malstromeda replied as she shifted her footing, her stirrup legging bare feet sliding in the dirt. “So many rules and formalities. It doesn’t make much sense to me Garran.”

    “These are sword conventions passed on for a thousand years.” Garran scoffed, shifting his booted feet to be opposite hers. “Any fool with hands can wield a blade but it takes a true knight to wield a sword.”

    Malstromeda moved in, swiping in fast arcs at her opponent, meeting his guard each time. She followed the rules and Garran easily matched her. "What if you fought someone not following the rules? Would they not have an advantage for not adhering to the rules of engagement?”

    “Hardly.” Garran scoffed as he parried the blows then went on the offensive, employing a sword gambit that Malstromeda knew all too well. “This is a refined sword skill and the best ever created. No ruffian, no bandit, no tyrant could ever hope to stand up to it.”

    Malstromeda defended herself, moving to the side as she parried trying to get around Garran. He was quick on his feet and was faster than she was. Malstromeda was stronger but she feared what would happen should she use her strength against him. She was always holding back, always being careful. Garran spun behind her, and she turned to defend, her long tail swinging out, her spikes naturally turning out. Garran gasped as he brought his sword to parry the tail which caused sparks to come off of his sword.

    “Watch the tail!” Garran shouted.

    “Sorry!” Malstromeda replied as she leaned to the side, willing her long tail to move behind her and out of the way. However, in doing so she opened her guard to Garran who stepped in, knocked Malstromeda’s sword from her hand and put his blade to her neck.

    “I remain undefeated.” Garran replied with an obnoxious grin. “You get so easily distracted.”

    Malstromeda picked up her sword, dusted it off and sheathed it. “My tail just wants to be part of the fight. It’s hard of me to will it to do nothing, its counterintuitive.”

    “This is why none of the great warriors of the tales have been Thersian.” Garran explained in a condescending tone. “Such skill and fame are reserved for the greatest Elifai heroes.”

    “That’s not very nice.” Malstromeda commented. “There have been many warriors of my people that have stood against the darkness in times of war and calamity.”

    “Oh, I am sure there were.” Harran replied. “But there were also a lot of warlords and villains so the histories are a bit…skewed.”

    “The histories were written by the Elifai.” Malstromeda replied. “My people are not the primitive hordes we are portrayed to be but since it was written in the tales people think it must be the way.”

    “Who are you to complain?” Harran smiled. “You are in the royal guard; you have achieved more than most of your brethren. You are an example, you are…”

    “One of the good ones?” Malstromeda asked, her face growing grave.

    Garran looked back at Malstromeda; his face serious for a moment before changing to a laugh. “You are far to serious Malstromeda, I was just joking around.”

    “I’ll laugh when I hear something funny.” Malstromeda replied. She was sick of Garran’s condescending tone, sick of the way the rest of the Elifai treated her, like she had to fight for what she had, the same things that were given to them easily. How she had to consider herself lucky for having what she had even if it was consistently less than what they had. How they saw her horns and tail like they were unsightly as if she could just take them off. She went to retort, to let her anger and frustration out but as she opened her mouth, she saw something that changed everything and stopped her in her tracks. “Smoke!”

    Garran looked confused until he turned to look for himself. “It’s coming from the cliff mill.”

    “Let’s check it out!” Malstromeda said as she secured her gear. “The place is on the side of a hill and if its on fire that could be really bad.”

    “We will go to the chapterhouse and alert them there.” Garran replied. “They can dispatch the right people to help.”

    “But were already here!” Malstromeda commented. “It might be too late if we delay help.”

    “That is the way the line off command works.” Garran reminded. “I order you as your superior to accompany me to the chapterhouse to follow procedure.”

    Malstromeda took off running toward the source of the smoke. She could hear Garran calling out behind her, but she paid little heed. He could not stop her; he had no chance to catch up to her if she was at a full run. He may be smaller and quicker in combat but when it came to a full run, he could not come close to matching her.

    As she got closer to the mill, she saw the problem. The massive windmill hanging high over the gorge to catch the wind was on fire. How it happened or why was unimportant, the wind blade was coming apart and the flaming canvas had set the rest of the building on fire. Malstromeda arrived at the front of the mill where several workers were regrouping out on the ground where it was safe.

    “Is everyone out?” Malstromeda shouted as approached and helped some workers away from the burning building.

    “There are two of us at the bottom of the overhang.” One of the workers explained before pausing to cough. “They can’t get back up the fire has cut off the main gantry way.”

    “I’ll get them.” Malstromeda assured. “Do you have a diagram of the mill anywhere?”

    “Theres one to the right of the entrance.” The worker explained. “But the mill is on fire and filled with smoke. Theres no way anyone could get through there.”

    “I can!” Malstromeda replied as she took off. She unstrapped her sword and handed it to the worker to watch. She took a deep breath before heading into the building. The smoke was thick, but she could still see. Thersians were naturally resilient against fire and their eyes could see in places many could not. She searched and soon found the diagram of the mill. There was very little on the actual top of the cliff, most of the workings on the side that hung over the valley. The idea was that they would grind heavy materials and then let it fall far to the quarry below to be gathered and distributed. However, such a fall would not be survivable for the workers should the whole building fall from the side of the cliff.

    Malstromeda memorized the map and went to find a way down to the workers. Her mind was always sharp, able to memorize things quickly and use the knowledge. She had learned sword forms faster than most others and had become one of the best swordsmen in the guard. Today, however, it allowed her to instantly get to know the whole mill and find a path down that the others might not have thought of.

    There were load ways to either side where material was dropped. They were slick and meant for things to go down easily and likely slicker than most could climb. However, Malstromeda was not most people. She got to the load way and saw it thankfully clear. If she could get down and get them fast enough, she would have a chance. She didn’t hesitate, jumping down, using her hands and feet to control her descent. She slid down three stories before coming to a stop on a pile of dirt on the bottom meant to cushion the falling debris. The smoke was much thinner, so she let out her breath and took another. It was not clean air like before but it would do for now. Malstromeda got her bearings from the map in her head and moved out, the fire was bright and right above, pieces of wood and beams coming down and striking others, setting them ablaze. The structure of the mill groaned, the amount holding it to the cliff and the building above becoming less and less sturdy as time went by. She had to find the survivors and get out as quickly as she could.

    The workers were at the lowest part of the structure. Hanging on the bottom of the drop area where they could breathe and stay out of the flames. Malstromeda leapt down and crouched next to them, letting out her breath and taking in some much cleaner air. The two Elifai looked at her like she was a demon straight from the flames of the life after. “My name is Malstromeda, I am a royal guard and I’m here to help.”

    One of the stricken workers paused for a moment before nodding. “My friend breathed in too much smoke and I am hurt but I can walk. However, there’s no way out unless you can fly.”

    “Alas I cannot fly.” Malstromeda commented. “But I have a way back up but we will have to hurry.”

    The worker helped his friend, pulling his tunic over his face and led him behind Malstromeda to the exit. Malstromeda took another breath of the clean air, knowing it was likely her last until she got to the top. She led them to the load way and both men looked up with despair, knowing they could not climb it even if they were unhurt. Malstromeda slung the weaker worker over her shoulder and pulled the other behind her. She wrapped her tail around him tightly. He seemed uncomfortable but didn’t struggle.

    Malstromeda held up her hands, unsheathing long claws from her fingers. She unsheathed similar on her toes and got into the load way. She sank her claws into the sides of the vertical passage and began to climb. Her claws went in easily and before long she was on her way up. Even with her strength the burden of the two men was nothing she could easily shrug off. She had to use all of her strength and determination to carry them and climb. She could feel the building groan again and begin to crack. It would not be long until it fell from the cliff and if she was not on solid land before then it would be three lives lost. The others were coughing, the smoke getting to them, but they had a few minutes still before they succumbed to it completely. Malstromeda could hold her breath for several minutes under normal circumstances but the one she was in was far from normal. She had to make do with what was in her lungs and hoped they and her muscles held up. She knew that if she dropped the two men, she could move much faster, but she had come this far she was committed. She was the only chance they had, and she decided that if they lived, she lived and only then.

    She made it to the top of the load way as the building shook violently, it was starting to come apart and nothing could stop it. The smoke was so thick that even Malstromeda couldn’t see much. The heat was intense and the Elifai on her back could not take it for long. She thought of the map and the way in, creating a route in her mind. She started to run, hoping that she had it right because if she didn’t, she would not have a second chance. She moved with all of her remaining strength, her grip on the two men tight as she could manage.

    Malstromeda made it to where she thought the hall to the entrance was, training and hoping not to run into a wall. As anticipated, she found the hall and saw light in the smoke ahead of her. It was yellow like the sun and not red orange of fire. She pushed herself, feeling the floor warp under her feet. The mill began to peel away from the cliff, and she dove forward, using the last of her strength to make it to safety. She emerged from the smoke just as the building tore away. She landed on solid earth, her bare feet feeling dirt and stone beneath her soles. She fell to her knees, depositing the workers on safe ground before letting out her breath and gulping a new one. The air was clean, the fire behind them.

    As the mill fell from the cliffside and took the fire and smoke with it the other workers began to cheer. They had been sure the two workers were gone for sure and the bizarre Thersian guard had saved them.

    Malstromeda struggled to her feet as workers came to attend to the two rescued Elifai. The worker she had handed her sword to proudly returned it. He beamed up at her. “You are truly a hero. May I know your name Sir Knight.”

    “MALSTROMEDA!” An all too familiar voice called out, a voice that instinctively made her back straighten and her feet slide closer together. It was her guard captain Frennia. She was a tall Elifai with vibrant magenta hair tied in a high braid. She wore golden armor and had features sharper than the rock the mill had fallen from. She stood next to Garran and had her hands on her hips and a thin-lipped grimace on her face. She looked at Malstromeda with intense eyes. “Come here…NOW.”

    Malstromeda took a breath and gathered herself as best she could. Her muscles burned and her body was shaky. She reattached her sword belt and walked over to stand in front of her superior. “Guard captain.”

    “Garran tells me you disobeyed a direct order and headed off on your own.” Frennia stated. “Is this true?”

    “I did not feel that there was time to report this.” Malstromeda explained. “I assessed the situation and decided that it was important to act decisively.”

    Frennia looked around to see the people she had saved and how they looked at Malstromeda as a hero. She likely was weighing how it would look if she truly punished her in front of people she saved. “It seems in this case the results outweighed the infraction. I will not take rank away or formally discipline you. However, this will be noted in the logs and for the next week you will take evening shift guard duty at the castle.”

    “Understood.” Malstromeda said with a bow, too tired to even be mad that she was being treated like a deviant and not a hero after what she did. “I will report there after I get cleaned up.”

    “See that you do.” Frennia said as she turned. Garran shot a smug look before he turned to follow.

    Malstromeda took one last look back at the workers who saw her for her actions and not who they thought she was before heading to follow the others back to the castle.



    Hours later the last orange and blue light had started to fade from the horizon as the night sky came to life. It was a bright vista filled with stars and barely a cloud set against it. It was a sky of wonder and possibility but only one on the ground looked up to notice. On the walls of a castle Malstromeda slowly walked. Though the night was still and silent she still kept a hand on her sword. She looked up at the sky as if longing for what might be up there. Under her feet she felt nothing but cold lifeless stone, but the sky felt like it held something more.

            “What you still doing up here Mally?” A voice called out, breaking the moment of stargazing. It was a portly man with shaggy blonde hair and a thick moustache that he hoped made him look older and more distinguished. “We are all going down to the barracks to drink.”

            Malstromeda put her hands on her hips and looked back at the other guard. “I still got another two hours up here before I’m relieved. I’ll join you then Darric.”

            “Oh, come on Mally.” Darric said with a grin. “Theres nothing going on out here, we haven’t even had a raider in two years.”

            Malstromeda went to retort but found nothing to do so with, she knew that the guards were lax and often took their posts as very flexible positions. “You know I became a knight on order to protect people and fight against those who would do them harm but all we do is walk the grounds and drink too much at night.”

            “Such is the curse of peace time.” Darric admitted. “The three ravines uprising ended a decade ago and there has been no strife, no danger, nothing worse than some highwaymen. Many would say that this is a good thing.”

    Malstromeda nodded. “Yeah, I know I just wish that I had someone to fight other than wooden dummies in the courtyard and that smug Garrin.”

    Darric nodded. “I suppose there is little point being one of the best fighters in a kingdom without wars.”

    Malstromeda laughed. “I suppose you are right. You know what? There isn’t much going on up here, let’s go down and have a few drinks before the next shift. Just this once.”

    “That’s the spirit.” Darric commented as Malstromeda followed him down the stairs deeper into the castle just as a bright light streaked from the sky behind them.

-

Description

Chapter One

“Heroes in Peace Time.”

    Far along a forest path under a tall mountain lay a forest of emerald, green trees. It was a paradise by most estimations and usually silent and peaceful. However strange sounds rang through the forest, clangs of steel and the grunts of combat. In a small clearing just off the beaten path a warrior woman fell back to regroup. She was tall, broad shouldered and dressed in dark blue armor. Her black hair fell to her shoulders and framed her round face with a pair of braids. Black horns and long pointed ears came out from the sides of her head, and she had a long spiked tail trailing behind her.

    Across from her was a tall and athletic man in silver blue armor and long blonde hair. His ears were long and pointed like the woman, but he lacked the tail and horns that she carried. The blonde-haired man smirked at the woman. “Malstromeda you always employ such heavy-handed tactics.”

    “The way we were trained is so rigged and formal.” Malstromeda replied as she shifted her footing, her stirrup legging bare feet sliding in the dirt. “So many rules and formalities. It doesn’t make much sense to me Garran.”

    “These are sword conventions passed on for a thousand years.” Garran scoffed, shifting his booted feet to be opposite hers. “Any fool with hands can wield a blade but it takes a true knight to wield a sword.”

    Malstromeda moved in, swiping in fast arcs at her opponent, meeting his guard each time. She followed the rules and Garran easily matched her. "What if you fought someone not following the rules? Would they not have an advantage for not adhering to the rules of engagement?”

    “Hardly.” Garran scoffed as he parried the blows then went on the offensive, employing a sword gambit that Malstromeda knew all too well. “This is a refined sword skill and the best ever created. No ruffian, no bandit, no tyrant could ever hope to stand up to it.”

    Malstromeda defended herself, moving to the side as she parried trying to get around Garran. He was quick on his feet and was faster than she was. Malstromeda was stronger but she feared what would happen should she use her strength against him. She was always holding back, always being careful. Garran spun behind her, and she turned to defend, her long tail swinging out, her spikes naturally turning out. Garran gasped as he brought his sword to parry the tail which caused sparks to come off of his sword.

    “Watch the tail!” Garran shouted.

    “Sorry!” Malstromeda replied as she leaned to the side, willing her long tail to move behind her and out of the way. However, in doing so she opened her guard to Garran who stepped in, knocked Malstromeda’s sword from her hand and put his blade to her neck.

    “I remain undefeated.” Garran replied with an obnoxious grin. “You get so easily distracted.”

    Malstromeda picked up her sword, dusted it off and sheathed it. “My tail just wants to be part of the fight. It’s hard of me to will it to do nothing, its counterintuitive.”

    “This is why none of the great warriors of the tales have been Thersian.” Garran explained in a condescending tone. “Such skill and fame are reserved for the greatest Elifai heroes.”

    “That’s not very nice.” Malstromeda commented. “There have been many warriors of my people that have stood against the darkness in times of war and calamity.”

    “Oh, I am sure there were.” Harran replied. “But there were also a lot of warlords and villains so the histories are a bit…skewed.”

    “The histories were written by the Elifai.” Malstromeda replied. “My people are not the primitive hordes we are portrayed to be but since it was written in the tales people think it must be the way.”

    “Who are you to complain?” Harran smiled. “You are in the royal guard; you have achieved more than most of your brethren. You are an example, you are…”

    “One of the good ones?” Malstromeda asked, her face growing grave.

    Garran looked back at Malstromeda; his face serious for a moment before changing to a laugh. “You are far to serious Malstromeda, I was just joking around.”

    “I’ll laugh when I hear something funny.” Malstromeda replied. She was sick of Garran’s condescending tone, sick of the way the rest of the Elifai treated her, like she had to fight for what she had, the same things that were given to them easily. How she had to consider herself lucky for having what she had even if it was consistently less than what they had. How they saw her horns and tail like they were unsightly as if she could just take them off. She went to retort, to let her anger and frustration out but as she opened her mouth, she saw something that changed everything and stopped her in her tracks. “Smoke!”

    Garran looked confused until he turned to look for himself. “It’s coming from the cliff mill.”

    “Let’s check it out!” Malstromeda said as she secured her gear. “The place is on the side of a hill and if its on fire that could be really bad.”

    “We will go to the chapterhouse and alert them there.” Garran replied. “They can dispatch the right people to help.”

    “But were already here!” Malstromeda commented. “It might be too late if we delay help.”

    “That is the way the line off command works.” Garran reminded. “I order you as your superior to accompany me to the chapterhouse to follow procedure.”

    Malstromeda took off running toward the source of the smoke. She could hear Garran calling out behind her, but she paid little heed. He could not stop her; he had no chance to catch up to her if she was at a full run. He may be smaller and quicker in combat but when it came to a full run, he could not come close to matching her.

    As she got closer to the mill, she saw the problem. The massive windmill hanging high over the gorge to catch the wind was on fire. How it happened or why was unimportant, the wind blade was coming apart and the flaming canvas had set the rest of the building on fire. Malstromeda arrived at the front of the mill where several workers were regrouping out on the ground where it was safe.

    “Is everyone out?” Malstromeda shouted as approached and helped some workers away from the burning building.

    “There are two of us at the bottom of the overhang.” One of the workers explained before pausing to cough. “They can’t get back up the fire has cut off the main gantry way.”

    “I’ll get them.” Malstromeda assured. “Do you have a diagram of the mill anywhere?”

    “Theres one to the right of the entrance.” The worker explained. “But the mill is on fire and filled with smoke. Theres no way anyone could get through there.”

    “I can!” Malstromeda replied as she took off. She unstrapped her sword and handed it to the worker to watch. She took a deep breath before heading into the building. The smoke was thick, but she could still see. Thersians were naturally resilient against fire and their eyes could see in places many could not. She searched and soon found the diagram of the mill. There was very little on the actual top of the cliff, most of the workings on the side that hung over the valley. The idea was that they would grind heavy materials and then let it fall far to the quarry below to be gathered and distributed. However, such a fall would not be survivable for the workers should the whole building fall from the side of the cliff.

    Malstromeda memorized the map and went to find a way down to the workers. Her mind was always sharp, able to memorize things quickly and use the knowledge. She had learned sword forms faster than most others and had become one of the best swordsmen in the guard. Today, however, it allowed her to instantly get to know the whole mill and find a path down that the others might not have thought of.

    There were load ways to either side where material was dropped. They were slick and meant for things to go down easily and likely slicker than most could climb. However, Malstromeda was not most people. She got to the load way and saw it thankfully clear. If she could get down and get them fast enough, she would have a chance. She didn’t hesitate, jumping down, using her hands and feet to control her descent. She slid down three stories before coming to a stop on a pile of dirt on the bottom meant to cushion the falling debris. The smoke was much thinner, so she let out her breath and took another. It was not clean air like before but it would do for now. Malstromeda got her bearings from the map in her head and moved out, the fire was bright and right above, pieces of wood and beams coming down and striking others, setting them ablaze. The structure of the mill groaned, the amount holding it to the cliff and the building above becoming less and less sturdy as time went by. She had to find the survivors and get out as quickly as she could.

    The workers were at the lowest part of the structure. Hanging on the bottom of the drop area where they could breathe and stay out of the flames. Malstromeda leapt down and crouched next to them, letting out her breath and taking in some much cleaner air. The two Elifai looked at her like she was a demon straight from the flames of the life after. “My name is Malstromeda, I am a royal guard and I’m here to help.”

    One of the stricken workers paused for a moment before nodding. “My friend breathed in too much smoke and I am hurt but I can walk. However, there’s no way out unless you can fly.”

    “Alas I cannot fly.” Malstromeda commented. “But I have a way back up but we will have to hurry.”

    The worker helped his friend, pulling his tunic over his face and led him behind Malstromeda to the exit. Malstromeda took another breath of the clean air, knowing it was likely her last until she got to the top. She led them to the load way and both men looked up with despair, knowing they could not climb it even if they were unhurt. Malstromeda slung the weaker worker over her shoulder and pulled the other behind her. She wrapped her tail around him tightly. He seemed uncomfortable but didn’t struggle.

    Malstromeda held up her hands, unsheathing long claws from her fingers. She unsheathed similar on her toes and got into the load way. She sank her claws into the sides of the vertical passage and began to climb. Her claws went in easily and before long she was on her way up. Even with her strength the burden of the two men was nothing she could easily shrug off. She had to use all of her strength and determination to carry them and climb. She could feel the building groan again and begin to crack. It would not be long until it fell from the cliff and if she was not on solid land before then it would be three lives lost. The others were coughing, the smoke getting to them, but they had a few minutes still before they succumbed to it completely. Malstromeda could hold her breath for several minutes under normal circumstances but the one she was in was far from normal. She had to make do with what was in her lungs and hoped they and her muscles held up. She knew that if she dropped the two men, she could move much faster, but she had come this far she was committed. She was the only chance they had, and she decided that if they lived, she lived and only then.

    She made it to the top of the load way as the building shook violently, it was starting to come apart and nothing could stop it. The smoke was so thick that even Malstromeda couldn’t see much. The heat was intense and the Elifai on her back could not take it for long. She thought of the map and the way in, creating a route in her mind. She started to run, hoping that she had it right because if she didn’t, she would not have a second chance. She moved with all of her remaining strength, her grip on the two men tight as she could manage.

    Malstromeda made it to where she thought the hall to the entrance was, training and hoping not to run into a wall. As anticipated, she found the hall and saw light in the smoke ahead of her. It was yellow like the sun and not red orange of fire. She pushed herself, feeling the floor warp under her feet. The mill began to peel away from the cliff, and she dove forward, using the last of her strength to make it to safety. She emerged from the smoke just as the building tore away. She landed on solid earth, her bare feet feeling dirt and stone beneath her soles. She fell to her knees, depositing the workers on safe ground before letting out her breath and gulping a new one. The air was clean, the fire behind them.

    As the mill fell from the cliffside and took the fire and smoke with it the other workers began to cheer. They had been sure the two workers were gone for sure and the bizarre Thersian guard had saved them.

    Malstromeda struggled to her feet as workers came to attend to the two rescued Elifai. The worker she had handed her sword to proudly returned it. He beamed up at her. “You are truly a hero. May I know your name Sir Knight.”

    “MALSTROMEDA!” An all too familiar voice called out, a voice that instinctively made her back straighten and her feet slide closer together. It was her guard captain Frennia. She was a tall Elifai with vibrant magenta hair tied in a high braid. She wore golden armor and had features sharper than the rock the mill had fallen from. She stood next to Garran and had her hands on her hips and a thin-lipped grimace on her face. She looked at Malstromeda with intense eyes. “Come here…NOW.”

    Malstromeda took a breath and gathered herself as best she could. Her muscles burned and her body was shaky. She reattached her sword belt and walked over to stand in front of her superior. “Guard captain.”

    “Garran tells me you disobeyed a direct order and headed off on your own.” Frennia stated. “Is this true?”

    “I did not feel that there was time to report this.” Malstromeda explained. “I assessed the situation and decided that it was important to act decisively.”

    Frennia looked around to see the people she had saved and how they looked at Malstromeda as a hero. She likely was weighing how it would look if she truly punished her in front of people she saved. “It seems in this case the results outweighed the infraction. I will not take rank away or formally discipline you. However, this will be noted in the logs and for the next week you will take evening shift guard duty at the castle.”

    “Understood.” Malstromeda said with a bow, too tired to even be mad that she was being treated like a deviant and not a hero after what she did. “I will report there after I get cleaned up.”

    “See that you do.” Frennia said as she turned. Garran shot a smug look before he turned to follow.

    Malstromeda took one last look back at the workers who saw her for her actions and not who they thought she was before heading to follow the others back to the castle.



    Hours later the last orange and blue light had started to fade from the horizon as the night sky came to life. It was a bright vista filled with stars and barely a cloud set against it. It was a sky of wonder and possibility but only one on the ground looked up to notice. On the walls of a castle Malstromeda slowly walked. Though the night was still and silent she still kept a hand on her sword. She looked up at the sky as if longing for what might be up there. Under her feet she felt nothing but cold lifeless stone, but the sky felt like it held something more.

            “What you still doing up here Mally?” A voice called out, breaking the moment of stargazing. It was a portly man with shaggy blonde hair and a thick moustache that he hoped made him look older and more distinguished. “We are all going down to the barracks to drink.”

            Malstromeda put her hands on her hips and looked back at the other guard. “I still got another two hours up here before I’m relieved. I’ll join you then Darric.”

            “Oh, come on Mally.” Darric said with a grin. “Theres nothing going on out here, we haven’t even had a raider in two years.”

            Malstromeda went to retort but found nothing to do so with, she knew that the guards were lax and often took their posts as very flexible positions. “You know I became a knight on order to protect people and fight against those who would do them harm but all we do is walk the grounds and drink too much at night.”

            “Such is the curse of peace time.” Darric admitted. “The three ravines uprising ended a decade ago and there has been no strife, no danger, nothing worse than some highwaymen. Many would say that this is a good thing.”

    Malstromeda nodded. “Yeah, I know I just wish that I had someone to fight other than wooden dummies in the courtyard and that smug Garrin.”

    Darric nodded. “I suppose there is little point being one of the best fighters in a kingdom without wars.”

    Malstromeda laughed. “I suppose you are right. You know what? There isn’t much going on up here, let’s go down and have a few drinks before the next shift. Just this once.”

    “That’s the spirit.” Darric commented as Malstromeda followed him down the stairs deeper into the castle just as a bright light streaked from the sky behind them.

-