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Stories -
Of Fire and Ice: The Emeralde and Valherst Story
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Authored by Emeralde
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Monday, 07 September 2009 15:03 |
Emeralde smiled down at the knight kissing her hand. She stood there a long moment, her hand still in his, and studied him. His broad shoulders easily bore the weight of his heavy plate armor. Up close, she could see that his armor had seen many battles -- small scratches and dings dotted the polished surface. The smell of horses and charcoal hung about him. A simple leather knot held back his long blond hair.
This knight, this "Valherst the Faithhammer," seemed sincere enough. Gentlemanly, protective, chivalrous ... and, she had to admit, handsome. Everything a knight should be if he possibly could. And yet ... Emeralde bit her lip in concern. Did she really need a knight to come to her rescue? She was a grown woman, after all, and an independent one at that. Besides, she mused, what was the going rate on rescues ... and could she afford it?
Emeralde gently withdrew her hand from his, taking a small step back. "You have my sincere gratitude, Lord Valherst. I am most fortunate that our paths crossed today." She bowed her head in respect. He smiled at her silently, his eyes twinkling. She looked up at him, adopting an attitude of aloofness she didn't quite feel. "I have little to re-pay you with ... but I could share my food and water with you, if it pleases you."
"My lady, the only payment I ask is that I be allowed to escort you to safety. Chillwind Camp is not far from here. You'll find shelter and warmth there." He bowed again.
Emeralde looked over her shoulder at the farmhouse. The undead creatures still milled about it menacingly. Perhaps she could return later after a brief rest. Her herb pouch was full of leaves and blooms, and she could pick up provisions to make a potion to guard against these undead creatures back at the camp. She needed to prove to herself that she could do this alone, and she had a feeling the knight would insist on remaining by her side. She turned back to him and gave a little nod. "Thank you, my lord."
He led his charger back to the road where her mount was still tied to a tree. She nuzzled her horse and fed her a handful of oats from the saddlebag. After helping Emeralde mount, he swung his leg up over his own horse and they took off down the road. "The long way is best," he said to her as they rode. "We should avoid the town up ahead -- it's filled with things that would love to eat you alive." After some distance, they came to a ridge with nothing but weeds and rocks. Emeralde hid a sigh of relief. A break from the horrors is exactly what she needed to re-focus her efforts.
As they came around a rocky outcropping, Emeralde caught movement out of the corner of her eye. A wraith was behind her! She felt a lick of fear and pushed her mare forward faster, passing Valherst in her haste. He looked over at her in surprise and noted the look on her face. He glanced behind them, then sped up to match her pace.
A minute later she checked behind her again and the wraith was gone.
When they arrived back at the camp, Emeralde hopped off her mare quickly and moved to the warmth of the campfire. She shivered as she held out her hands toward the flames. This was not the first time she'd seen a wraith behind her, following her. Within moments the knight stood beside her. "Are you well, my lady? You seemed to be in quite a hurry back there."
She looked askance at him, a worry line appearing in her brow. "Well, I thought it prudent to make haste -- that wraith looked like it meant business."
"Wraith?" he asked, puzzled.
She gestured vaguely behind her. "Yes, near that rock outcropping."
"Forgive me, Lady Emeralde, I did not see the wraith following us. Nor would I have expected to see one. That outcropping is within the Argent Dawn's defenses -- enemies do not make it that far unless they are very lucky or very stupid." Valherst smiled reassuringly at her, then turned back to the fire. "We are safe now."
Emeralde frowned. If he hadn't seen that wraith, could she have imagined it? Perhaps these tasks were starting to affect her adversely. What a fool she'd appear if she admitted how much that scared her. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, resolving to put this fear behind her. "Of course, I'm sure it was just the light playing tricks on my eyes. It's been a long day." She smiled at the knight, mustering a confidence she didn't quite feel.
Valherst looked down at the small mage, an unreadable look on his face. "Rest will do you good. I shall make camp here tonight, as well. It would be my pleasure to take on those beasts in the morning."
Emeralde smiled enigmatically. "We shall see. I must sleep now." She curtsied again and turned quickly toward a tent, picking up a camp lantern as she hurried off. At the entrance to the tent, she glanced back at the campfire. He was still standing there, his rugged face illuminated by the fire, a look of concern on it. She vowed to leave camp before dawn ... alone.
"I just need some rest first," she whispered to herself before laying out her bedroll and lying down.
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Kikyo
Loremistress Cordillia Angelprice
