Winged Shadow Chapter 5

Winged Shadow

Chapter V: The Camp

“Get up!” yelled Christopher as Delila lay flat on her face on the dry grass. She had tripped, yet again, on the uneven ground. The thick rope that bound her hands prevented her from catching herself, and Christopher was no help. He half dragged, half pulled her up and on the way again. As she stumbled across the dry plain, with every step kicking up dust and sand, she heard Yasimi say

“Hurry up! At this rate, the sun will set and rise again tomorrow before we get to camp!” Christopher muttered something under his breath, and started to tug the rope really hard. He was incredibly strong, and no matter how hard Delila tried to stop, he kept going at a steady jog. Soon, she gave up, and just tried to avoid falling over.

Delila could see a large flat hill, with lots of little shapes on it. As she got closer, she realized that they were tents. That must be their camp, she thought. Her apprehension was growing. Chris noticed that her pace was slowing, and he started to sprint up the hill with Delila following behind, her sides heaving. They had run from sunrise to noon, nonstop. Yasimi, Chris, and Hanna had never broken a sweat.

When they got to the top of the hill, Delila could see that most of the tents were quite small, only one or two person. However, there were four very large tents. One was pure white, with a small flap outlined in red. The one next to it was dark brown, with a large banner in front of it. The banner was coal black, with a grey dagger and a pair of white angel wings attached to the handle. The third was red and gold,  and had two surly-looking guards at the covered opening. The last one was the same color as the rest of the tents, a pale beige. There was also a large space between the small tents and the large ones. It had small dummies and there were lots of people in leather armor practicing with their weapons. Delila could see that most people had a sword.

When Delila looked closer, she saw that one person had a long, curved weapon in the shape of a bow, but it couldn’t be a bow. The person holding it was whacking and cutting the straw figure apart with the ends. She could see two people practice dueling.

There was also what looked like an archery range. There were targets lined up sideways and a large space in front of them. There were painted lines, showing where to shoot from. There were only four people on the archery range, which looked like it was built for at least fifteen people at a time. One of the people was not even using a bow or arrows. He was just throwing a long spear, and he hit the target every time.

Delila then started jogging after Christopher again, and she felt her body heavy with weariness. As they got to the camp, she heard shouts of

“Hold your fire! The scouts are back!” and she was dragged through row after row of tents. Finally, Christopher handed Yasimi the rope, and sprinted toward a large field where people were practicing with swords. He then drew his weapons and started training with the dummies. Delila could see, even from this distance, how good he was, as if the swords were extensions of his own arms.

Hanna, took a quick drink from her waterskin, turned and said to Yasimi,

“I’d better get back to the infirmary. Benjamin's bandages need to be changed, and Leanna’s already taking care of Naliette, and most of the others are gathering herbs. Also, I need to go check on Henry. He still wasn’t awake when I checked on him yesterday.”

Yasimi nodded, and Hanna started off toward the large white tent with the red flap, walking briskly. She then ducked under the opening and disappeared.  

“Hurry up,” snapped Yasimi. She grabbed Delila tightly by the arm and hurried to another steep hill with a makeshift door in the side. Yasimi untied the ropes around Delila’s wrists. Delila looked, and saw that they were red and the skin was shredded where the rope had rubbed against it. Yasimi opened the door and tossed Delila inside. Then she slammed the door and Delila was left in complete darkness.

The floor was bare earth, and it was stone cold. Delila stood, and stumbled blindly towards the door. She tried the handle, but it was locked. She turned around and felt for the wall. It was rough and rocky. She felt all the way around the room, and realized that it was very small, only a few feet in diameter. She sat down, and tried unsuccessfully to get comfortable.

She wondered why they had not put her in a blindfold, as they clearly did not want strangers here. A horrible terrifying feeling spread through her as she realized they had no intention of letting her go.

Winged Shadow Chapter IV

Chapter IV: Taken

Blood pounding in her head, Delila rocketed up the steep, stony hill. According to her map, Bare Rock Stream began on the other side.

As she sped over the rocky expanse, she tripped over a large, scraggly bush and fell face-down into a wet, slimy riverbed. As she stood up, she spat out a mouthful of mud and wiped her face on her sleeve. Oh my god, thought Delila, I’ll never get this off.

She was distracted by a slight rushing sound, and saw that there was a stream nearby. It was very clear and translucent. She had arrived at Bare Rock Stream! She could see why it was called that. The stream was so transparent that the rocks underneath appeared to be almost dry.

She could see a wide expanse of grassland, and the map labeled it “Urstun Plain.” She was almost there! After two weeks of cold, muddy traveling, she was almost there. Full of hope, she started the long descent

When she got to the bottom, her lips were dry and cracked, and the wind had teased her hair into knots. She continued into the open plain, walking into the wind.

Finally, when the sky was dark and the stars were shining, Delila sat down and put together some spare kindling. She then lit a fire, but it was very small, only a few glowing embers and some sparks. The mud had dried on her, and she was trying to pry it off with her knife. Then she felt a sharp pain in her right temple and blacked out.

✦

“She’s a threat. She should be eliminated immediately,” started a deep husky voice.

“But we could turn her into an asset! Think of what we could do with her!” came a frustrated reply.

Delila opened her bleary eyes and saw a young, dark-skinned man, maybe twenty, arguing with a fair woman who looked about twenty-five and had coffee brown hair. The young man had two long swords hanging on his waist and a shield on his back. The woman had a double sided sword with curved blades strapped to her back.

“She’s too dangerous. I say we kill her now and be done with it,” complained the man. The woman looked furious. She opened her mouth to speak when a stunningly pretty young woman came out of the shadows. She had black wavy hair and dark skin. Her eyes were a beautiful dark brown.

“We’ll take her to Thrist,” she put in calmly, “he’ll decide.”

“But, Yasimi-” began the man-

“He’s the chief, Christopher. He’ll decide.” came Yasimi, and it was final. Then she turned and saw Delila staring at her.

“Stand,” she said, “you’re coming with us.” Delila thought back to the two men with clubs at her farm. She recalled the feeling of icy fear and cold dread. She felt the same way now. Delila stood up. She was inside a dark cave with a small opening. They had taken away her belt, so her knives were gone. Then, as she brushed the dust off her knees, she realized that her jacket was still on. Delila reached her hand for a knife in one of the sheaths - and the sheaths were empty. Yasimi saw her searching, and laughed.

“We’re not complete amateurs, you know,” she told Delila, smirking. She then strutted out of the cave.

“Hello,” said the other woman, kindly, “I’m Hanna, Hanna Dahlin.”

“Hi,” mumbled Delila, frightened. Curse Alyss O’Hess to the deepest pit of Hell, thought Delila. She should have known that O’Hess would sent her into a trap, but Delila had wanted so badly to get to the warrior clans that she had disregarded safety. Now she would never get to the warrior clans. Then something clicked. The weapons - the Urstun Plain - “Chief” -

“You’re from the warrior clans, aren’t you?” blurted Delila. Hanna looked up, surprised. Christopher, in the corner, did a double take.

“Why yes,” he said, “We’re Winged Shadow. We’re taking you to our chief, and he’s going to decide whether or not I get to kill you.”

Winged Shadow Chapter III

Chapter III: Alyss O’Hess

The freezing wind stung Delila’s face like needles in the pouring rain. The smooth, worn cobbles shined under the light of the far-away moon. She was walking anxiously down the street, looking for a large, rundown warehouse near a pond. Last night, she had heard from a young fisherman that Alyss O’Hess lived in a warehouse down by a duck pond. O’Hess was supposed to be beautiful and rich.

Delila’s feet were going numb, and she couldn’t feel her toes. Finally, a huge old building near an overflowing pond came in sight.

There was a smooth old wooden door with a lion head knocker. Delila grabbed the knocker and banged heavily on the door.

“Enter,” came a deep, husky voice.

Trembling with trepidation, Delila opened the well-oiled door.

“Hello, Miss. I am Madam O’Hess’s butler. Please follow me,” said a long, lanky man with a miniscule goatee. He turned around and headed into a large living area.

“Welcome,” came a clear, soothing voice, “I’m glad you could make it.” In the middle of the room, there was a large, red, velvety armchair facing the fireplace opposite Delila. Slowly, a slim figure began to rise from the chair. She had long, honey blond hair and fair skin. She was wearing a long, pink dress with lace, cut off at the elbows. As she turned around, Delila was shocked at how graceful she was. Then she stood, with an expensive-looking emerald on a gold chain around her throat, and deep, mysterious blue eyes like pools of water so deep that you can’t see the bottom.

“I assume you are here for a reason?” Asked O’Hess silkily.

“I want to know where to find the warrior clans.” Delila told her. There was a pause.Then O’Hess said

“Oh, I like you. Very forthright, no nonsense. Half the people who come to me spend a long time dithering on about this or that, it’s very irritating.

“Well? Do you know?” asked Delila impatiently.

“Of course!” said O’Hess, looking slightly offended.

“Well then tell me!” exclaimed Delila, exasperated.

“I could, but that depends on what you have to offer.” O’Hess gave Delila a cold, calculating look.

“I have little money, but I could do something for you instead,” Delila admitted. O’Hess paused, looking slightly puzzled. Then she laughed, a clear, pealing bell sound.

“You thought I took money! Oh, how refreshing! You might have done a little more research before coming here.” She laughed again, highly amused.

“What is your form of payment, then?” Delila asked, truly befuddled.

“Oh this and that. It’s always different. It might be a secret or two, or a favor, or a couple of years of servitude. Frank, over there,” she said, pointing to the butler, “is currently serving his third year. He’ll be gone in another. The price all depends on what information is  sold,” replied Alyss O’Hess, still chuckling.

“Ah,” Delila said, understanding. This price would be more valuable than money, but at least Delila could give it. She hoped that it would not be servitude, as she wanted to get to the clans as soon as possible.

“Well then,” she mumbled, resigned, “name your price.”

“Hmm…” O’Hess said, her eyes sparkling, “you  have three choices. You can serve me for six years as a personal bodyguard, you can serve me for six years as a maid, or… you can owe me a favor.” Delila’s mind raced. She really wanted to move on, but the idea of oweing this woman made her feel sick. Delila was very annoyed. Finally, she decided and said,

“I’ll owe you a favor.”

“Good, good.”

“So tell me where to find the warrior clans!”

“Not so fast. You have to make a Blood Oath.” Delila cursed inwardly.  Blood Oaths were binding, and if you broke one, your honor would be shattered.

“Fine,” she sighed, “get me a bowl.” O’Hess smiled.

“Frank, a bowl please!” She called, her smile widening. As Frank placed a small wooden bowl inlaid with mother-of-pearl on the table, Delila drew a steel knife with a curved blade from her brown leather jacket.  She turned it over and offered it handle-first to O’Hess. O’Hess took it and sliced a thin red line in her palm. O’Hess then held her dripping, bloody hand over the bow. Three drops fell into the bowl as she said,

“I, Alyss O’Hess, hereby bind Delila Kaleo to me. She owes me whatever favor I decide to call in.” She then handed back the knife, smiling, satisfied. Delila then drew the knife across her own hand, and held it above the bowl. She had cut herself deeper, and a steady stream of blood poured into the bowl.

“I, Delila Kaleo, promise to fulfill whatever favor Alyss O’Hess asks of me as long as she gives me the information I desire. I will only fulfill one,” Delila specified.  The deed was done.

“Right then,” said O’Hess in a business like manner, “you will find a camp in the middle of the Urstun Plains, near the Bare Rock Stream. Here is a map.” She handed O’Hess an old piece of folded parchment. Delila turned, and walked out of the door, shivering. Alyss O’Hess was a mystery, but not one to be solved. Delila’s mounting excitement warmed her inside. She knew where to go! Now all she had to do was get there.

Winged Shadow Chapter II

Winged Shadow

Chapter II: Moving On

Delila walked quickly on the well-worn cobble path in the town. It was called Emerald Valley, but the townspeople referred to it as “The Town”. She had been to this town many times, trading and buying from the shops. She had only been here twice on market day, for although  there were cheaper prices, there were large crowds.

Today was a market day, and the streets were bustling with hurrying people. She could hear the market vendors advertising their wares with loud yells. She had not brought a lot of money, and she was determined not to spend it unless absolutely necessary.

Her resolve faltered almost immediately, for as she passed a pale wooden stand, she could smell a delicious fragrance of sweet cherry pie wafting through the air toward her. She turned, and saw that the vendor was a very fat, bald man whose head was shining with sweat. He had a large moustache. He saw her looking, and exclaimed,

“You would like to try, yes? Very tasty! Straight out of the oven!”

Delila looked at the sign, which said “One copper a piece, one silver a pie!” on it it fancy, loopy writing. She had taken with her one royal, two silvers, and five coppers.

“Yes, I think I’ll have one slice,” she told the vendor.

“Good! Here you are,” he said as he gave her a piping hot piece. She plunked a copper down onto his tray. As she walked away, she scarfed it down, burning her tongue.

She traveled on and found a sign with a lily on the front of a two story building. She guessed it was the inn her parents had told her about, “The Painted Lily.” She almost went inside, but then remembered her parents saying that it was very pricey, a royal per night. She could not afford that. So instead, she followed the path out of the village and found a large tree with branches full of needles. The ground had a blanket of heather and brush, so she set up her blanket beneath it and laid down, her head on her small pack. As the moon reflected on a small silvery puddle, a feeling of giddiness sprung up inside her. She was free. She was free, independent and searching for the warrior clans. She closed her eyes, happy with her lot in life.

✦

“I’ve missed you,” her mother said, smiling. “Why don’t you come home?”

“That wasn’t home, Mother. I’m searching for my real home, fighting among the warrior clans,” Delila told her sadly.

“What?!? Disgrace! You have shamed me!” Her mother screeched, furious.

“Mother-”
“No! Just shut up! Don’t come home, and don’t call me Mother! I don’t want to be related to a dirty mongrel!” Delila’s mother stalked away angrily.

“Mother - no - come back!” Delila yelled after her. Her voice echoed in the looming blackness of the forest. She felt so alone, with no defense against the darkness that was creeping up on her.

She woke, sweating. She sat up, hitting her head on a thick bulky branch. She reached her hand up, and felt a large bump on the back of her head. The bloated bump throbbed, and her stomach growled. She reached her hand into her pack, and realized that her fingers were still clenched around a knife. She massaged them open, and flexed them. She felt groggy, and her hand stung. Delila sighed. Her stomach rumbled loudly, reminding her that she needed breakfast. She reached her sore hand into her pack and took out a slightly bruised apple.  As she crunched on it, she packed up her small camp and started hiking through the green, leafy forest, deciding on her next move. Inns usually have lots of gossip and rumors. I’ll start there, and see if anyone knows where the warrior clans are. I hope that they let me join. If not - no. She didn’t want to go there.

She tried to distract herself from thoughts like that. As her feet crunched down the grassy hillside, the ground beneath her leg gave way, and she tripped over and rolled down the hill, onto sharp rocks, stinging pine needles, and knobbly sticks. The metal pan in her pack didn't help either. When her body stopped spinning, she lay face-up on the damp grass. Ugh, she thought, dizzy. She tried to stand up, but fell onto her backside. She tried again, slowly, and succeeded. She stood up in her well-worn leather boots and turned around.

The next village was in sight. She began to tread toward it, her boots squeaking in the mud.

✦

As Delila entered the inn, she felt a rush of warm air, and she quickly found an empty table. The atmosphere was loud and jolly, just the place where one might hear gossip. She pretended to look at the intricate cobblestone mantlepiece, but really she was listening hard. At the table next to Delila sat three men. One had straw-colored hair and was pencil thin, and pale as the moon. The man across the table looked familiar, and Delila realized that it was the fat vendor who had sold her the pie. Next to him was a very muscular man with a long shaggy beard down to his waist that he was curling around his finger.

“So did you find out when it’s coming?” whispered the pale man hoarsely.

“No. The secret is very well protected,” replied the man with the beard, with a heavy Glasgon accent.

“Well we can’t bloody attack the caravan if we don’t know when it’s carrying the valuables, can we?” said the first man angrily. Delila’s blood chilled as she realized what these men were planning.

“You could always try Alyss O’Hess. She’ll know,” put in the vendor, shifting in his seat.

“No. She’ll twist our words until we’re eatin’ them,” argued the man with the beard stubbornly.

“Quiet, Horace. Now, Kaspar, who is this “Alyss O’Hess?”” asked the man with the pale hair coldly.

“She knows everything, everyone, and everything about everyone. No one knows how she knows, but what we do know is that all of her information is for sale. For a price.”

“Everything?”

“She knows where the king orders his eggs, she knows where the warrior clans camp, she knows the new laws before they’re written. She knows everything,”

Delila’s ears perked up. This “Alyss O’Hess” could tell her where to find the warrior clans. She stood up, scraping the rickety wooden chair against the stone floor. The three men looked at her, the thin one staring at her with piercing, icy blue eyes. Delila froze, chilled to the bone. The men slowly turned and sat down, but Delila couldn’t shake off a feeling of foreboding as she exited the inn.

✦

The pale man watched her coldly out the window. It was her features that stuck in his head. She was not pretty, but she had a rugged beauty in her jet black hair and her deep green eyes. In this town, where it was normal for light brown or blond hair, with brown eyes, she stuck out like a sore thumb. There was an air of confidence about her that made the thin, blue-eyed man remember her.

Weekly Question #5

What book are you reading right now?
( Brotherband: Slaves of Socorro )

Winged Shadow Chapter I

Winged Shadow

Chapter I: The Decision

Thud. Thud. Thud. The continuous sound of the knife hitting the target soothed Delila. The knives created a perfect circle on her makeshift target, comprised of soft pine planks and dull red paint. As she walked slowly down to retrieve the long, sharp knives, she went over the conversation her parents had had last night in her head.

Her mother had said that Delila would be an innkeeper, that she would cook and sew and be lady like. Her father wanted her to continue the family farm. Neither of them seemed to care that she wanted to be an outsider.

To the townspeople of Keslain, anyone that joined a warrior clan, whether it was Silver Fox, Skullface, Winged Shadow, or Snakehead, was an outsider. The townspeople described these clans as lethal and barbaric. They avoided and shunned the clans as much as possible.

Delila sighed. She put all seven knives in the specially made sheaths in her jacket. She reluctantly stepped up onto the stone porch, and her boots clacked on the gray river stones. She slowly opened the wooden door, bracing herself for the angry shouts of her parents. She was not disappointed.

“The farm has always been the Kaleo’s! We have no need to sell it and buy some unstable house to convert into an inn. The farm, for sure, will make at least enough to support a family! Now you want to sell it, and take a chance that she might make enough, just because it’s more ladylike? Ridiculous!” Her father ranted.

“Actually, I think a man would want to be with a lady more if she was an owner of a steady business than if she had to work outside in the dirt!” exclaimed her mother, flustered.

“What a load of-”

“Don’t you want to hear what I want to do?” Interrupted Delila.

“Of course! Explain to your father that you’d much rather have an inn, and you’d work there, than in some dirty barn!” Answered Delila’s mother.

“Now, see here darling-” her father put in.

“Actually,” said Delila, “I think I’d quite like to … maybe… fight with the warrior clans.” The room fell deathly silent. Then Delila's mother and father both started to shout.

“Absolutely not!”

“Out of the question!”

“Preposterous!”

“That you would even suggest it is an insult!”

“But why not?” asked Delila, exasperated.

“Because, Delila, it is utterly wrong! The shame… it would be an absolute disgrace! Also, because you are a girl, who should be sewing and cooking and taking care of your home. Like it or not, you are a woman, and it is time you started acting like one!”

“But-”

“No buts! I have made my decision. Now, go feed the pigs.”

Delila sighed. Frustrated, she walked outside, dragging her feet.

“If I see you throwing those horrible knives again, you’ll be sleeping in the barn!” Her mother shrieked through the window.

If only they wanted me to fight, thought Delila. She wished that they understood. Delila trudged across the small, worn path through the farm, envisioning herself on the battlefield. As always, she had her jacket of knives on, and she fingered a knife now. It had a small, sharp steel blade and a hard leather hilt. As she held it , she heard a small twig crack. She whipped around, and saw two ugly men with small, iron-studded wooden clubs. One of them had a very large, red nose and a bald, shiny head. He was very fat. The other one was lean and muscular, with spiky black hair and a square jaw. He spotted her, and the big sack she carried. He started to race toward her, and his companion followed. She looked around, and saw a sturdy looking oak tree. She ran to it, and started to climb. She had always been nimble with her arms and feet. Blood pounded in her head as she got as high as she could go. She saw the lean man leering at her from below.

“Come on down, darling. We promise we won’t hurt you… much.” He said, grinning. His comrade had now arrived, huffing and puffing. Delila’s mind raced. She’d have to come down sometime. All that was in her bag was oats, but they didn’t know that. They probably thought it had money or something in it. Then, after they tore it apart, they would kill her so she wouldn’t tell anybody anything.

That thought made her blood run cold. She then came to a decision. She grabbed two sturdy, sharp knives and waited for them to look away. Eventually, they started an argument.

Delila took a deep breath and jumped onto the shoulder of one of the men, the fat one. She took a knife and hit him hard in his temple with the hilt. He fell over, unconscious.  She quickly leapt off of him. The other man started whacking at her with his club. She ducked, and threw her knife at him. It caught him in the thigh, and he howled in pain. He staggered toward her, dropping his club. She turned and sprinted back to her house.

The donkeys were gone, so her parents were out in town. She went inside and locked the doors. She ran into her bedroom and took a deep breath. Delila made up her mind. She was going to run away to find the warrior clans. Delila started stuffing enough supplies for a week into her pack. She left behind a note on her bed, saying

I have decided to go and follow my dream. I hope that you do not hate me. I think that I could make a much better warrior than a farmer or an innkeeper.

Love, Your daughter,

Delila

She told herself that the reason she left was because she was good at fighting. But the truth was, she wanted to fight, because she had never felt more alive.