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Adventure

A Child with a Sword and Shield

The decision to become a fighter lies on the battlefield between life and death.

Jun 19, 2023  |   6 min read

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Krystal Goarin
A Child with a Sword and Shield
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The day has come, all my training will be put to the test. As we prepare for battle, not knowing what will become of us, our faith runs low. While I stand and listen, Sir Leo beings his speech to the towns' people about how much we will need to work together to survive the onslaught that is headed our way. I could not help but look around me at the terrified people trying to mustard up the courage to stand strong beside us.

I have been training my whole life and going out on adventures, battling the nightmares that haunt the lands Sir Leo has come to claim. Never have I imagined that we would be facing a war with the Orcs. I could have sworn we chased them off. We chased them off alright, far enough away for them to build an army to come back and have us for dinner. Gross.

These Orcs have been a real pest, stealing women and children to do their bidding. Recently, we managed to save a young woman from the depths of their lair. Fragile with long yellow hair, Yellow Hair has proven to be quite useful around the city. Never thought a mage would be worth much with their flimsy robes and delicate fingers. The fireball, she throws from her hands, is as if hell left a door open.

As I ride next to him towards our post, it amazes me how the fear that encompasses the whole town seems to flow over him. He sits tall and strong without a blink in his eye on his magnificent steed. His every move is precise and on purpose, no question at all. Clean as a whistle, you would think he never swung a sword in his life. Known for his pure bravery and honor, Sir Guy looks over at me, “are you riding with me today, Silver Feather?”

As those words left his mouth, sheer panic coursed through my body. I have been following him recently to make something more of myself, wondering when the day would come that I could finally ride beside him. I never expected that the day to prove myself would be in a battle of life or death.

Sir Guy was not just any ordinary fighter who grew up playing with a sword and shield, but a Cavalier. Cavaliers are the bravest of the brave, full of honor and complete respect. They have been known to do things that are unexplainable, magical, a gift from the Gods. People's heads turn and eyes grow wide as they ride through town. Exactly the something more that I have been striving for, Silver Feather the Cavalier!

I shy a smile as I look back at him, “yes sir, I am. I am ready to do this.” “Today will be a good day to die, be proud little one for there is no greater honor than to die in battle,” Sir Guy said as he rode away to straighten out the men on the gate. My stomach dropped, die? We cannot die, I am not ready to die. I swallow hard being to think that maybe I spoke to soon and I am not ready to become a Cavalier.

All of a sudden SMASH, CRACK, AHH!!! A large boulder came flying through the wall revealing a less then pretty sight but an eye soar of thousands of Orcs running down the hill towards the town. Stunned I watched the boulder roll passed me, I was still lost with the words Sir Guy had said to me, contemplating whether being a Cavalier was something I truly wanted to do.

Next to the gate, banner ready, horse dancing side to side waiting the order, Sir Guy yells back at me “Silver Feather get up here!” Just then a flaming arrow sail passed my head, I wake up and gallop up next to Sir Guy. Nerves shivering through my body barely holding onto the reins as my horse lines up with his.

Sir Leo had called for the gate to remain closed; we watched the town's men that were on the wall fall one by one. I look over at Sir Guy wondering what his next move would be, he seems agitated, his horse prancing like it's about to start a race. The next thing I know he takes off at full speed towards the controls of the gate. SLASH! His sword cuts through the ropes holding the iron gate closed. As the door falls it reveals eight foot tall, trash smelling pig faces screaming at the top of their lungs waiting their turn to climb the wall. BAM!

Sir Guy looking over at me says, “Do you want to live forever?” His horse turns and then flies through the air like a feather over the spiked damn and disappears in the dark mangled mess of pig crap. My eyes widen as I could not believe it. He literally meant it, die. This was a moment of truth was I really something more, or just another fighter who played with a sword and shield as a child. My heart racing as the decision felt like it took forever to come when all of a sudden, I could feel my horse flying through the air. The hot air hit my face as I swung my sword, off went the first Orc's head and before I knew it, I was swing my sword with all my might, harder than I ever have.

What felt like a few moments really turned out to be over an hour, when I realized I had not seen Sir Guy or his banner. Exhausted I found a gap in the pigsty, I quickly spanned the area in hopes I was not alone. The dead piled high around me as I could feel myself bleeding all over. My poor white horse no longer white but a dye of maroon, (mud and blood). I feel my faith fading as I immerse myself back into the mold of stench, when out of the corner of my eye I see it! The banner! Still flying high, Sir Guy's banner sways in the wind as he slices the beasts in half. A rush of adrenaline screams through my bones as I gallop over to him, the Gods must be watching.

United we fought side by side, as if we had been doing so for ages. We charged ahead slaying everything in our path. The adrenaline making me feel God like, I wanted more! More than just a sword and shield but to save the small town and to defeat this evil once and for all.

Finally, the battle was over, we won. I was left standing in a pile of death, the ground no longer beautifully green with flowing grass but a blood fill mud hole. I lift my helmet to give my heavy head a break as I see Sir Guy sit tall and proud on his horse raising his banner in pride. I do not know how we did it but I did not question it, for I was thankful to be alive and not alone.

Sadly, half the town was missing, the other half cheered as we rode by to gather back inside the town's walls. Sir Leo came over “I cannot express the gratitude I have for the both of you. We survived because of your bravery and sacrifice. Sir Guy as always, we will dine in your honor tonight. As for you Silver Feather, you will be given the title Cavalier for you have done more than earned it.”

I was beyond words. I knew I had done great but I never imaged that I would actually become a Cavalier. “Congratulations I knew you could do it, just had to over come that fear. Now death is nothing but a spec of dust on the horizon as the sunsets on a day well fought.” Sir Guy said as he rode away. A spec? Is he ok? Although, he does have a point as I trotted off towards my cottage. If I could manage a battle like this, where I was sure to die being out there practically alone then what more could death throw at me?

Tonight, I will rest knowing I did more than well, I did great and the Gods will hear my pray for I am not just a fighter with a sword and shield anymore, I am the bravest of the brave, strongest of the strong, and honored beyond the stars. I am Silver Feather the Cavalier!

 

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Sam

Jul 19, 2023

Really enjoyed this story, Id definetly buy it. WELL DONE!

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