True Story.

[Altara]

Disclaimer: Not actually a true story. Something I whipped up. It is indeed a FICTIONAL story, with a nameless main character, mostly because of my lack of imagination. Enjoy.

The days I spent here, with these people, blurred together. The time went by fast-
“The wound is deep; she’s losing too much blood!”
This bleak place, this, this desert, this heat, this air, was unfamiliar to me. But over the past months they became comfor-
“We need to get her to Neith.”
“That is too far! She will die before we make it there.”
“Then I guess she dies here.”
“No-“
My mind was swamped; I rolled my head so I could look up. My limp body was being held by someone. My eyes, filled with tears made it nearly impossible to see, but, I knew him by voice. Smurv, the one who let me in with open arms, the one who let me get close enough to-
“Vythica, scout the area and bring back anyone with any kind of knowledge in healing.”
Fleeting footsteps echoed in my head. The pain, I wanted it to stop. I looked back up at Smurv, only seeing a dim outline of his face. Footsteps, again, there was another with us now. Cold hands touched my chest.
“You were right not to remove the arrow, she would have died instantly”
“Do not tell me what I already know mage, just fix it.”
“I do not know much, but I can save her, though it will leave a nasty scar”
“As long as she lives.”
“Smurv, you are spending too much time over this girl, hasn’t she suffered enough?”
“Sand, I never asked your opinion.” His arms tensed beneath me. A cold cloth wiped around my wound. I wanted to move away from it, I needed to-
“What?” the new comers voice was surprised. “This- There’s blue on the cloth, her skin is dyed.” Smurv’s grip on me loosened.
“Y-you’re sure?” there was silence. I was in panic.
I closed my eyes, I wanted to escape. The voices became muffled, my body, more numb then before. Things in mind started to slow, started to make sense. The images I saw, were like a lullaby, I saw my life and how it was before. The memories made me feel warm as I slowly slipped into the darkness.
“Betrayal...”


“Klutu, I have someone to live for now.”
“This will be the last job you have to do” The man’s smile was kind.
“The last?” I looked at him with disbelief.
“As soon as I hear Efrendi is dead, I will send word to the over lord and get you full citizenship here in Alsius.” A smile broke my calm composure. Looking into the bowl of water before me I padded my cheeks with the blue dyed cloth.
“I wouldn’t get to excited.” I turned to him; his armour gleamed in the dim sunlight. The Alsirian Legions emblem marked him as a general. “You must get close enough to him, which will take some effort.”
I smirked and shook my head “You know I can do it” I have never been proud of being paid to kill, but it brought in the gold nicely. I continued to apply the dye to my skin. Klutu sighed.
“I’ll have a carriage come get you at night fall, remember you have three months.” I heard him walk to the bedroom door “And” I turned back to him “Good luck.” I smiled and laughed.
“You don’t need luck when you have skill.” I leaned against my dresser; the room was bright and colourful. Cold wind blew in from the open window. The mountains looked like a painting, the beauty was unimaginable. My husband’s armour lay in a pile on the floor. Pain struck my heart, I wouldn’t see him for a long time, I won’t even be able to say goodbye. At least, when my job is done, I can come home and never have to leave.
Night fell over Montsognir soon enough. I waited outside my home for the carriage. Soft lights and loud music came from the local tavern. The troops, were to be deployed next month, so they made the best of their limited time out of war. In ninety days the armies of Alsius are to be sent to wipe out the population of Ignis, while they mourned the death of their war leader Efrendi.
The streets were dimly lit; Bubbling from the fountain helped me focus. ‘Only ninety days’ I sighed, pulling my hood up farther. Finally the carriage came. A large uthgar held the reigns, to that I couldn’t help but laugh, he glared at me but I couldn’t stop.
Inside the carriage were the best knights Alsius had. Ultimate and Rykor mumbled things about the tavern but held their tongues when they realized I could hear.
“Well... you look convincing Elf” Rykor scoffed at me but I smiled.
“That is the point.” He glared and Ultimate hit his shoulder.
“Come now, is that any way to treat your comrade?”
“The tree humper is no comrade of mine.” I ignored the comment, I couldn’t help that I was born in Syrtis and raised in Syrtis, but, I wanted to live and die in Alsius. Most found that hard to understand. I looked out the small window the carriage supplied. Compost ran beside it, keeping up with us, stride for stride. After a while we came to a halt.
“This is where you leave us elf.” Rykor said getting out.
Remembering the trees of the area I looked at the others with dismay “We are in Syrtis.”
“It is not safe to enter Ignis right now, any Alsius is killed on sight, and they most likely have their bridges guarded.”
Compost pointed to the west “The Bridge you need is there, you will be safe alone, no one is around for miles.” I sighed and grabbed my bow.
“You guys are no more help than a bloody hound” Rykor growled.
Ultimate chuckled.“Good luck, make sure that dye is off you before you try and come home.” I nodded to him and raised my hand good bye. Running into the thick of a forest, the carriage disappeared from my view.



I awoke in a dimly lit room. My hands chained above my head. The metal burned my skin; I could feel blood run down my arms. People sat in an arc in front of me, I could not see them, but I was pretty sure I knew who they were. Smurv came before me, his dark eyes seemed lifeless.
“She has awoken.” His voice was harsh
“Smurv I-“ a whip broke the skin on my back. My eyes watered, I clamped my lips shut to muffle a scream.
“Do not speak in front of the council unless instructed so.” A man behind me said. I let my head hang.
One of the figures stood, her voice sounded delicate “The meeting of the Ignean council may begin.” She sat “What will we do with this... spy.” Her voice fell into disgust.
At once the room exploded with voices, Some said execution, some torture then execution, one mentioned a hundred lashings then to Send me to Alsius with a warning.
“I should just run her through with my sword right here.” My head swam, looking for a way out. I couldn’t think, through the commotion, one stayed quiet, he sat in the middle of the others, he towered over the others, even in the dark, I knew his eyes were on me, I shuddered. He rose slowly, the others quieted instantly.
“Yes, DB, you should run her through” he walked around the back of the table “And then we will never know what the enemy is planning” His voiced boomed. He now stood towering over me.
“Well girl?” Efrendi’s eyes pierced through me.
“You think I would tell you?” He nodded to the man behind me and the whip opened another wound on my back. Tears sprung to my eyes. Efrendi put his hand under my chin and moved my face so he could see my tears.
“I’m sorry, I promise, I won’t let him do it again if you tell me, why you were sent here.” I jerked my face from his hand and stared at the stone floor. He stepped away, with another nod; I got whipped again, and again and again. They didn’t stop; I held back as much as I could, a few gasps escaped me.
“He will stop, if you say-“I couldn’t concentrate long enough to hear the rest. The whip fell on my skin harder and faster. Images flashed in front of my eyes, the cold mountains of Alsius, my home I shared with my dwarven husband, his smiling bearded face, our wedding day. I let out a scream, each time the whip fell a shriek left my mouth.
“Stop!” Smurv’s voice broke the constant sound of leather on flesh; he took the whip from the man’s hand. Efrendi glared at him.
“She dies at sunrise.”

To be continued (?)
P.s. I'm open to suggestions for the main characters name :]

Edit:
Part 2
Part 3

[Ulti19]

Nice story, it has alot of emotion in it and your style of writing is very cool

[Immune]

This story is really good Keep writing more, it could probably get as popular as Gawyn's stories

As for a name, well... Should she have a Syrtian given name, and/or a new name she chose under Alsius, and/or an undercover Ignean name?

[Mbwana]

very detailed, nice story

[Torin_Ironfist]

Amazing writing Can't wait to hear part 2

[NotScias]

Nice story with a different writing style, I like it

To be continued (?)

Yes please !

[bois]

Excellent style, +1. I was immersed in the story. Good job and please continue, it is one of the best I have seen so far.

I would love to see where this story takes me as you have pulled me in. Such intensity. Good. Very good.

Best Regards
Artec

[Arafails]

OMFG! Someone actually respecting the paragraph!
I could actually read through this one without getting a headache. Well done Nice story, too.

[Altara]

Thank you for your kind comments guys :]
Please Enjoy



The cell was nearly as dark as the room I was in before. I sat on the wooden cot hunched over; the open wounds on my back restrained me from doing anymore. An oil lamp flickered on the far wall. I hummed a song a learned from my people in Syrtis, it eased my pain a bit I slowly laid on my side, wincing if I went too fast or moved the wrong way. I recalled to when I first came to this strange land, it seemed so simple.



I ran through the forest the monster of a cat close behind me, the trees became scarce as the bridge came into my view. ‘This thing won’t chase me into the swamp’ I thought as I continued to run. Bounding over the bridge I heard the feline roar behind me, but it didn’t seem to stop. My legs trembled but I continued to run. I sprinted over logs and rocks, circling trees, but the beast still chased me. A bush of thorns appeared in my sight; not thinking too much I jumped into it, sure the cat would not follow me.
The thorns scratched my exposed skin; I panicked, pushing through the bush only to run into something hard and metal. The impact knocked me on my back. I looked up only to see a gallant knight dressed in red and gold. He looked down at me in confusion. Rustling came from the bushes behind me. The man grabbed my arm and threw me behind him, pointing his spear at the bush.
The Sabertooth cat jumped out baring its teeth, at once I felt ashamed. The cute ball of fluff in front of us was barely a kitten, then the huge beast I thought it was. The knight looked over his shoulder at me and chuckled.
“Please tell me this is not what you were running from” I stayed silent and looked away.
“It-“I pouted “Ambushed me.” The man let out a roar of laughter.
“You... Ran from.....” his eyes were teary as he picked up the animal and let it nibble on his finger.
“I- I thought it was a syritan and I didn’t feel like looking behind me only to be hit through the heart with an arrow.”
“Wise I guess” He put the cat down and scooted it with his foot. “Go to your mother now” He turned to me. “What are you doing in the swamps? You do not look like the type to hold her own in such a dangerous place.” I got up and dusted myself off.
“I am Shalis, from Aluhed.” He looked at me and smirked. I ran through the lines in my head, who I am pretending to be, where I am from, my skills, interests, my whole pretend life was ready to be told.
“Aluhed, huh?” He tried to imitate my voice and let out a snort. “You small town folk have strange accents” The man stared at me for awhile; I started to feel nervous under his gaze. “I’m Smurv” he said finally. Smurv, the name was familiar, an Ignean captain. I smiled at my luck.
A woman appeared beside him from the shadows, her eyes a deep green. “Vythica, this is Shalis.” Smurv said holding his arm out. “Shalis, the fierce Sabbertooth slayer, has a nice ring to it.” My cheeks grew hot from embarrassment. The woman watched me.
“So, you’re telling me you picked up a stray.” Vythica said motioning to the shadows. An archer and a mage came into the light of the campfire. “I sensed another was with you, I wasn’t sure if it was safe or not.”
Smurv rested his elbow on my head. “Oh, but not just a few minutes ago, a vicious feline tried to eat me, but this girl sprang from that bush and scared the nasty kitty away.” He looked down at me and winked.
“She sprang from the thorn bush?” The mage said coming towards me. Her robes were pale and light but shaped her figure beautifully; brown hair pinned up out of her face. “You have scratches all over!” she came to my side and held my arm. A warm glow came from her hands. The small nicks in my skin slowly disappeared.
“Thank you-“
“Neith, my name is Neith.” She smiled at me.
“Neith, Thank you”
Smurv stretched and hit the archer on the arm. “This is Dimera.” The archer was smaller than the knight, but for the most part they looked very similar. Dimera smiled at me and went back to tending his bow.
“Where are you from then?” Vythica’s cold voice startled me
“She is from Aluhed.” Smurv said grinning.
“You mean Allahed?”
“Nope, Al-UH-hed” She put her hand to her face and sighed.
“I won’t ask.”



I spent a few weeks with the four companions, traveling across the deserts of Ignis. Vythica protested that I shouldn’t be with them, but Neith would not let me leave until I was safe at the great wall of Ignis. I smiled, thinking of my time with them. My heart hurt thinking of it, how it would never be again. I felt the scar that defined its self on my chest. Footsteps sounded on the stone floor.
“Shalis?” I got up slowly at the voice. Neith. I went to the steel bars of my cage and waited for her to come. She looked at me with sorrow filled eyes.
“I can explain.” I blurted out, but she shook her head wildly.
“I don’t want to hear it.” She hung her head “I... brought you some bread. Don’t take it as kindness, I do not know you spy, it’s for Shalis.”
I felt a lump in my throat, the pain in my heart grew. “Neith I am Shalis, maybe not in name, but I assure you-“
“No.” She starred at me now, placing the bread in my hands. “I don’t want to hear it, I’m sorry.” I sank to my knees, letting my head rest on the cool metal and listened to her walk away.



The sun was harsh, such a bleak place, this, this desert, this heat, this air, was unfamiliar to me. Just over the hill was the Ignean war camp. Smurv told me that Ignis was indeed few, but skilled.
Coming into the camp, many people seemed happy to see the four return. A man in light armour ran up and hugged Neith, lifting her off the ground and swinging her in a circle. That, must have been Terekon, Neith often spoke about him on our travels.
“I missed you” He said kissing her.
A mage ran up to us, but instead headed for Smurv. The man jumped into the tall knights arms, cuddling his chest.
“I missed you” The mage said. Smurv dropped him immediately.
“If you want a kiss Sand, I suggest you get one from someone else.” The mage frowned until he saw me. His eyes brightened as he circled around and examined me.
“A new recruit?”
Smurv shrugged “If she wants” I nodded right away.
“What weapon do you use?” Sand put a finger to his lip “Though you are a dark elf you don’t seem... Magical.”
“I like to stick with the bow”
“Bow?” His face was confused “That is strange for your race.”
I thought back to my lines “In a small town some roles need to be filled, even if you are unfit, I accompanied many of the hunts.” He nodded slowly.
“Well that’s interesting and all-“He began to walk away but Smurv grabbed the collar of his robe.
“Show her around, will you?” Sand grumbled and hooked his arm around mine.
“Come on then.” He drug me through the dusty paths. Showing me the archery range, naming the generals off as if it was a head count. Tresta, Dimera and Vythica were the only ones there. The arena was different, many people with swords, spears, maces and hammers trained, they sparred against one another. Devkarven waved at Sand as he held off Meatwads hits with his shield. At the mage quarters I got to meet Caelia, Efrendi’s love. She welcomed me warmly and was sharing small talk with Sand when Smurv came to us.
“The campfire has been started, if you guys don’t want to miss DB’s wondrous war stories, you should move quickly.”
“We can’t miss that for the world!” Sand exclaimed grabbing my hand and pulling me behind him.

I worked hard, only the best are able to be in the Tetrahedron squad. Days turned to weeks, the sun wore the ink on my skin and I was running out of the blue liquid. I needed to speed this up so I could leave. But, late at night, when we gathered around the campfire, I couldn’t think of a better place to be. I liked these people. Sometimes, I lost sight of my mission and got lost in my pretend life.
One night a few of us sat and watched the stars. Smurv retold the story of how we met in the swap for the thousandth time. Neith tapped my shoulder and dropped a necklace in my hand. A large feline tooth bound with rough leather, decorated with feathers and beads. A savage looking thing but I wore a wide smile on my face.
“The fierce Sabertooth slayer should have a token of one” She said sitting beside me. “It will bring you luck.”
“Thank you Friend.” I tied the cord around my neck.
Rustling came from the darkness, everyone grabbed their weapons only to put them down when Vythica came into view. Her arm badly injured “Alisus” she breathed nearly falling over “Many... too many, they ambushed me.” She fell on her knees. Neith ran to her side and helped her to a blanket so she could lie.
Smruv rose. “Shall we?” I looked up at him.
“She said there are many, you’re not honestly thinking of fighting them?”
“It’s our job as soldiers to keep the lands of Ignis safe.” He grabbed my bow and tossed it at me. “Either we go to them, or they to us. I don’t know about you, but I like to strike first.” I fiddled with my boots, for the sake of the mission; I would have to hunt the very people I wished to join.


P.s. Thanks to the people who helped me with the name, and a BIG thanks to the one that gave me the name I used. Its beautiful :]

[Torin_Ironfist]

Amazing! I cannot stop reading these and can't wait for the next. Soon please!