20Child-of-the-Holy-Grail: You are correct, I did say that everything was free. I'll go back and fix that and put up the corrected chapter. As to the time period, it's more of a parallel universe than anything, because women were never actually allowed to fight. That's why I put this in the fantasy category and not historical fiction.
Uineniel: I found a website that had Quenya lessons on it. The author of the site put them together, and they are really good. The site is . Be prepared to use your brain! These lessons are not for the half-hearted (I never actually finished them. I got to about fourteen and quit. For now.) There's a bunch of other cool stuff there, too.
Thanks again, everyone! I welcome all your input.
Our camp was in disarray. People were patching holes in tents that arrows had hit, and the belongings of our deceased friends had to be sorted through. Our scouts that had gone out had found nothing of our attackers, not even a dropped arrow. The footprints had led toward the mountains, but they were lost in the springy underbrush of the nearby forest. Captain Rhian did not send anyone else out, saying he refused to risk losing more lives in a futile pursuit. I privately disagreed, but decided to trust his judgment, as my own seemed to be impaired. I wanted to chase after them and tear them to pieces with my bare hands. My initial grief had subsided, and in its place was anger.
I sat morosely sorting through Arisel's pack, trying to decide what was absolutely necessary, and what had to be tossed to save weight and space. The captain had given us the day to clean up and pack up. Already we had been in one place for three days, and we had had no offers of work. We decided to take our losses and go, as there seemed to be no hope of finding our attackers. I finished Arisel's pack, though I hated to throw away anything that had belonged to her. Her sword would go to a new recruit, but I kept her knife, as well as the brightly colored bandana that she had loved to wear.
Evening was falling as I tightened the last of the straps on my bundles and slung them over the back of my horse. She tossed her head and laid her ears back as usual, then settled back into her dozing position. I slapped her neck affectionately and rubbed behind her ears where she liked to be scratched. Then I sighed as I realized there was Arisel's horse to deal with.
I left my horse ground-tied and walked to the picket lines. Sure enough, there was the dozy bay mare standing tied, and looking a little confused. She nickered when she saw me, so I untied her and scratched her face gently. Captain Rhian saw me and walked over. "Can you lead her behind your horse? I'm trying to get away with selling as few horses as we can, and she's a good one."
I nodded and led her away to tack her up. She looked a little confused as I started putting her saddle and packs on, and I knew she was wondering where Arisel was. I blinked back unwanted tears and swallowed the lump in my throat. This was the aspect of a mercenary's life that I hated the most; everyone in the camp had lost someone they cared about. I finished the job through a haze of tears and led the mare back to my own horse.
A whistle from the captain called our attention to him, and we all left our horses to gather around and hear what he had to say. There was a strange man standing next to him, by his clothes and errand-runner from the castle. "There's been a change of plans," our captain called out. "Our services have been called for. I have a meeting with their king in half an hour, and while I'm gone, I want you all to move into the city barracks. Taleg here will show you how to get there." He looked directly at me. "Niren, I need you to come with me." He turned to pick another face out of the crowd. "And you also, Steival." He dismissed us with a wave, and the messenger Taleg began to lead us to the barracks.
I gave Arisel's horse into Bane's keeping, slinging my own packs over the mare's back to keep the burden off my horse. "Make sure you get a good bunk for me, or else," I growled. He winked at me and led the horses away. I turned to look for my captain.
I found him with his horse, transferring his own packs to a spare animal and giving him into the care of another person. My mare danced impatiently behind me as I waited respectfully. Captain Rhian looked at me and smiled, then glanced around. "Where is Steival?"
"Here, Captain!" Steival walked up with his gelding behind.
"Then let us be off," he said, and swung up onto his horse. The unremarkable brown stallion stood patiently, waiting for his master's cue. When Steival and I were settled on our horses' backs, he moved off at a touch from the captain's heels. As usual, my mare danced and tossed her head until we allowed them to move faster.
We entered the city gates at a trot, Captain Rhian waving a letter at the guards, who recognized the king's seal immediately and let us pass. Once we were through the markets in the lower streets, we picked up a purposeful canter. We arrived at the castle a little too soon for my tastes. As we dismounted, our horses were led away by stable boys, and an attendant came to take us to the king.
As we walked through the granite halls of the castle, I tried my hardest not to be impressed by anything I saw. But I managed to slip in a few glances at the bright glass windows and vaulted ceilings. I noted some servants watching us with wide eyes, and I pulled my headband farther down over my brow.
My mercenary and assassin training had me looking for exits and possible ambush points as we went along, and I also judged the people we passed by, looking for any who seemed hostile. I assumed that part of the reason the captain had brought me along was that he suspected our attackers might have been from the city. He knew that I was a good judge of people, and I would tell him if I sensed anything wrong.
We finally reached the king's audience chamber, but a servant at the door redirected us to a different room. I soon found myself in a private council room, facing who I assumed was the king. I knew I was correct when I saw the blond, blue-eyed girl beside him. The princess.
I feared for a moment that she would recognize me, but she didn't. I was dressed in my fighting gear, complete with sword and knives. My hair was bound back in braids, and my headband was in its usual place. I looked professional, as much as a warrior can. A far cry from the slightly drunk, dirty, tousle-haired woman she had seen outside the tavern. But for now my personal observations had to wait. The king was speaking to my captain.
"I am in great need of your services, Captain Rhian." The king paused a moment, and began his story. "A few months back, I received an offer from a noble of the bordering lands to marry my daughter. The man was absolutely convinced that I would accept his offer, and not without reason, for he is one of the richest in these lands. But he is also young and arrogant. When I refused him, he became angry and began sending threatening letters. I did nothing, because I thought he would eventually get over it. But he did not." King Ieuan stopped again and looked down at his hands that were folded on his table. "Those men who attacked yesterday were ones he sent. One of them came into the city and gave us the message my messenger gave to you. I'm assuming you had your band move into the barracks?"
"Yes."
"And these two, who are they?"
My captain motioned Steival and me forward. "These are the two personal guards you requested. This is Steival, and this is Tegan."
I jumped in shock as he used my old name, but managed to quickly regain my composure. I directed a glare in his direction that would have murdered a lesser man. As usual, he ignored me.
"Wonderful." The king stood majestically and brought his daughter forward. "This is Cristyn, my daughter. Tegan will be her guard. Steival will be mine."
I fought hard to maintain an impassive expression, while inside I burned with anger and hatred. Be the guard of this spoiled child? I would sooner drown myself.
Captain Rhian bowed gracefully. "I will leave them here, then, after I have a word with them both. If you will excuse us." He turned on his heel and marched out of the room with us in tow. "Captain." I began as soon as we were in the corridor. But he cut me off with a wave of his hand.
"I don't want to hear it. I know how much you hate dealing with the aristocracy, but you are the best I have for this job."
"But I."
"Please don't argue."
I paused for a moment, but could not help myself. I continued carefully, "I fear that I will not be able to do a proper job. If I cannot put my heart into it."
"You are a soldier. For now you must put your emotions aside and do the job at hand." He grabbed me by the shoulders and looked me in the eyes. "Please do this, if not for the king, then for me."
I looked down and nodded slowly. "I will do the best I can, sir." None of us could refuse our captain anything.
"Thank you." He let my shoulders go. "Steival, I trust you will have no problems with this assignment?"
"None whatsoever," Steival replied with a grin. "I look forward to living here for a while. Soft beds, good food."
"Yes, but never forget what you're here for. If that's all, then I will leave you two to your jobs." He turned to go, but I called after him.
"Just a minute. Why did you use that name?"
With a grin he replied, "Because that's what you are."
I could only glare after him in speechless irritation. Steival looked quizzically at me, but I ignored him and turned to go back into the council room. I was spared the effort however, for at that moment the king and his daughter stepped out into the corridor. I could not help but notice that the girl seemed very shy; she stood behind her father with her eyes on the floor. Not the kind of behavior I would have expected from a spoiled princess. But I shrugged it off and bowed politely.
Ieuan merely looked down his nose at me and brought Cristyn forward. "You," he said, pointing at me. "You will stay near my daughter at all times. Do not let her out of your sight."
Cristyn frowned slightly. "Father." she began quietly. But he cut her off.
Pointing at Steival, he said, "You will be my guard. Starting now." He turned and left, with Steival in tow.
Cristyn and I looked at each other, both with mixed emotions. I bowed, and to break the silence I said, "Milady, I am at your service."
"Oh, please, don't do that!" The vehemence of her tone shocked me. I looked up and she smiled tentatively. "Don't call me 'milady.' My name is Cristyn. Yours is Tegan, right?"
I almost protested, but then realized giving her my real name was not the smartest thing to do. "Yes. I am Tegan."
Another A/N: I need my readers' opinions on something. I am debating whether to do a point of view switch from Niren (Tegan) to Cristyn. I want to know what you guys want. Don't forget to review and tell me what you think!