To Claim the Elvin Princess: Apprentice (17 page)

28

After his first ride on a terranak with Amein, Rasten had been well lectured and instructed in how to guide and control one of the large creatures. He had been nervous, but was mostly resigned, knowing he was not willing to say no or to refuse to continue. His fist flight had been rather hard on his stomach, as he managed to accidentally turn his mount upside down more than once, but after not falling to his death, his confidence was much improved.

He quickly found flying on such a creature to be exhilarating, the freedom of movement astounding. He was allowed to free fly several sessions, to gain skill and confidence, before he began a serious study of the terranak, his instructors eager to teach him the ways of warfare that he might apply on such a mount.

As he progressed in his flying skills, he was made to also practice the use of the bow, having to hit stationary targets while flying first, and then getting to attempt hitting a moving target towed behind and below another bird. This made him less than pleased, but after many days of dogged effort, he became more proficient.

“Congratulations! You’re now no longer horridly unskilled, but merely terrible!” his instructor declared one afternoon, when they had landed. Rasten had merely grinned, having found his Elvin comrade’s humor to be infectious and much less wicked than it sometimes sounded. Even a ten year old elf girl could come up with a wickedly snippy comment effortlessly. The thing that mattered was that their incredible  over-honesty was softened by their constant playfulness.

“I’m just eager to be as good as a ten year old elf!” he had responded, thinking to pre-empt more snide comments. 

“You’ll need some extra work, if you want to get that good!” he had been teased. He wisely gave up and went on to his next lesson.

The next day, he returned to discover that he was going to learn how to fly with others, both as a formation, and for complex maneuvers. He had to sit through lectures on tactics, watching demonstrations done with small toy terranaks, and then had to go into the air, and attempt to replicate them, sometimes at ridiculously fast velocities. Passing over, under or beside others at such speed was nerve wracking, the danger of colliding real and constant. He had his hair brushed  several times by a passing flyer, someone more skilled, eager to get as close as possible and avoided being hit by ducking or diving desperately more than once.

It did little to amuse him that he sometimes had Amein’s young nieces, Narimein and Leinien to fly against, they being well advanced and quite skilled, both eager to be able to say they had bested him. Amein had laughed fully when he grumbled about this one evening, having witnessed the young ones teasing Rasten delightedly at dinner, over something they had done to prove their mastery of him.

“I would advise you to pick a better fight! You will have a hard time catching them at this point! They have been flying for sport since they were barely six, and are as home on a terranak as you might feel walking on flat ground!” she laughed.

“What sort of sport involves such a beast?!” he demanded.

“They compete at racing...flying against others through obstacles, to gain the best time!”

“Isn’t that dangerous?” he wondered.

“Very...but considering that they will one day wield swords, and fight...you still find the idea of females doing such things to be wrong, don’t you?!” she demanded sharply. Rasten shrugged.

“I suppose I do. I was raised on a male dominated world, where men were once taught to protect and defend the women. Men may be expendable, as only women can have babies, and keep the race alive. I suppose it once had sound reason, from a biological point of view. It may be a long time before I’m past that...” he sighed.

“You sound like an Eridian...they treat their females as property, and seek to guard and defend them!” Amein insisted. Rasten looked away, sitting, deep in thought.

He finally looked at her and spoke.

“I think I find the whole idea of warfare to be terrible...to be a sign of failure, not something heroic. I know, there is evil, which must be battled. but wouldn’t it be so much better, if there was nothing but peace? It seems evil that good beings should die, to beat back those with no decency!”

“It perhaps is. But it is also necessary, and unavoidable. Rasten, without constant vigilance, and the will to fight, all would be slave to some other! There has always been evil, and I see no end in sight! All we can do is try to be as kind and honorable as we might, and defend as many as we are able, so as many may be free of the darkness as possible.”

Rasten had more cause to rethink his reluctance to see females fight, during his unarmed combat training. Being hesitant to fully engage several of the young Elvin females had gotten him battered and bruised fully, as well as tossed and knocked on his rear a number of times. Master Misari had given several of her young females good incentive to be as unrestrained and strong as they might against him, she having been advised as to Rasten’s weakness regarding females. This resulted in him being well abused as several of them took great delight in hammering him, to gain their instructor’s approval.

He finally decided he’d had enough, when one elf girl of barely fifteen had leaped, delivering three lightening fast kicks to his ribs, shoulder and head, before landing and felling him by sweeping his legs out from under him, as she delivered a fast strike to his chest with her elbow. The room had gotten dim from a creeping blackness, before he groaned and managed to force himself up. He felt angry and humiliated, having been so handily bested by such a young one.

Use your anger, don’t let it control you!
he recalled the words of Master Roein coming to him from his own mind.
This is like sword fighting...don’t think...observe and react!

Considering this, he slowly climbed to his feet. The young one who had just so effectively taken him down, stood watching, wondering if he would surrender.

“Try that again!” he suggested, noting Master Misari watching from the edge of the practice floor.

“As you wish...” the elf proclaimed, launching herself again, intending to repeat her easy victory. She was shocked to have Rasten step sideways, and counter her kick with a hard punch to her thigh. She landed awkwardly, and spun, grimacing from the pain in her muscles. She was met by a sweeping upkick, that caught her belly, doubling her over, and almost knocking the wind out of her. Before she could recover she was upended and dropped on her bottom by Rasten’s leg, sweeping her feet out from under her. The young one lay, gasping for breath, too shocked to move.

“Elerienda! Cidari! Elienia! At him!” the master called, curious to see what Rasten’s sudden display might portend. Rasten moved quickly away from the fallen elf, and tried to relax, seeing the three elves intent on circling him, and making him defend against all three at once. He wanted to keep one in front of him, and none directly behind himself, knowing if he could keep two able to be seen with a slight turning of his head, using his peripheral vision, he might stay aware of them all.

Rasten waited, letting the three elves decide what they might do, before he suddenly lunged at the one he was facing. Snapping his head first right and then left, showed him that the one behind and to the right was a bit hasty, moving to attack him from his blind side. Rasten stopped in mid stride, stepped back and spun, lashing out with a kick that caught the rear attacker hard in her crotch; she bent forward hastily, and was slammed from the side by Rasten’s foot, dropping her like a stone. The other one, seeing this hesitated, as the front elf moved forward to strike, and Rasten blocked the kick with his own flashing foot, before spinning, and almost leaping at the other one, who tried to duck, but was caught full on by the top of Rasten’s foot in her side. This one too went down, unable to breath.

The final elf had chosen to leap, intending to nail Rasten from behind, but he dropped, letting the Elf sail over his head. When she landed and spun, she was greeted by Rasten’s foot, which sent her sprawling. The silence was impressive, other than the groans of the three fallen elves. Master M walked over, giving Rasten a serious stare.

“Perhaps now you understand? You fight when you need to...not when you are in the mood, or desire to! You are moving to the next level!” she declared, as though nothing special had occurred. The three defeated elves were helped up, and came to stand in front of the Master. “You three require more practice!  And so do you!” she sternly insisted, speaking to the first one Rasten had beaten. “You fight like girls, not like warriors!” she declared, glancing at Rasten and grinning.

Rasten had been reluctant to speak about his session to Amein or any other, unable to shake the feeling that he had mostly beaten girls. Amein, who had been advised regarding Rasten’s sudden improvement, found his silence on the subject telling and cause for further lecturing.

“I hear you did well today! But you are ashamed of hurting mere girls?” Amein asked. Rasten sighed loudly, knowing where this conversation was headed.

“Yes I do. You can think that’s stupid all you want, but it’s how I feel! You can at least respect my feelings, even if they’re wrong by your standards!” he insisted petulantly. Amein got up, and stepped close, touching him.

“I do. But It’s also my place to give you the tools and understanding you’ll need to survive! You will face females wielding swords or other weapons, who have no thought, no desire other than to kill you! Being polite, being kind, caring for or being inclined to go easy on such a one will be the death of you! You feel terrible that you hurt the young elf girls today, don’t you?” she asked slyly. Rasten merely nodded.

“But Rasten, they are there because the wish to gain the skills necessary to battle wicked barbarians, and evil beings twice their size! If I had a coin for every bruise I had inflicted on me in training, I could buy half the planet! I had ribs and other bones broken too! You did them good, did them a favor, by handily beating their butts. The first one you fought thought she was a lot better than she is...which is why the Master is so pleased that you beat her over-confident butt! She will be well humbled, and learn better! I got my ass handed to me many times, before I became worthy of being called competent! See this?!” she asked, pulling up her sleeve, to display a hairline scar along the inner part of her upper arm. Rasten nodded.

“I had managed to beat Master Roein, and thought I was amazing with a sword. She spoke to father, and one evening, he drew his sword on me, and challenged me to show my skill...” she sighed at this, falling silent.

“I guess that was wicked?”

“He worked me hard for an hour, until I was dripping sweat. Toward the end, it dawned on me that he wasn’t even working hard...he was just wearing me out! I decided to make a stand, before I was dead tired, and threw every bit of effort I had into beating him. I finally got to the point where I couldn’t raise my arm...my sword felt like an anvil! I just stood there, and cried. That’s when he used the point of his sword to mark me! I’ve never forgotten his words,” she sighed, looking guilty.

“What did he say?”

“He said,
Daughter, no matter how skilled you become, no matter who might be beaten by you, there will always be another with equal or greater skill. Fight always, assuming the current opponent is that one!
Unless you die of old age, in your sleep, someday you will likely face that one. There is no dishonor in being bested by your better, but much dishonor in being beaten by one less skilled, because you fail to treat them as what they might be!”

“So one must fight always like they’re fighting a master?” Rasten suggested.

“If you don’t, you
will
be fighting your master!” she replied, and hugged him.

29

After the attack on Alarinad, Shocara had much enthusiasm for more efforts. The men were especially eager to do some raiding, to see what they might acquire, especially from the Elvin.

Shocara was less enthused about attacking the Elvin simply to gain goods and valuables, considering it more likely to simply irritate their enemy, and bring a more wicked counter attack upon them as a punishment. Still, in the end, she had to do something, or risk angering her warriors.

She considered where they might have less chance of opposition, and a better chance of a good haul, hoping that one or two such attacks would satisfy the Eridians at least until Spring, when they might return to a more productive series of larger attacks.

In the end, she decided on an Elvin village, which lay far to the west and close to the border with the Eridians. It was a place where several roads came together, where much traffic moved, especially when the weather was favorable, one coming from distant Alarinad, and others going on to even farther flung villages.

The Eridians had no idea that the Elvin called it Hirienti, but began plotting an attack, once Shocara declared it as worthy. Two scouts were sent by terranak to observe and spy, to see what sort of activity might be observed. They were gone four days, before returning, excited and eager to speak with Shocara.

“There is much movement by way the roads, even this time of year! We witnessed many past through, richly dressed, and with many burdens. Many goods pass to and fro, likely of some value. I think if we arrive with them unprepared, we can take much from them!” one of the scouts reported.

“Are there warriors about?” Shocara wondered, thinking this more important to know.

“Perhaps a dozen...they seem to be quartered in a large building at the southern side of the place, closest to Alarinad. Some of our flyers can land easily, and surround them, while the main force moves through the place, taking what they wish!”

“Very well...I want no Elvin harmed, who is unarmed, and who doesn’t resist! Fight the warriors, not women and children! If you hope someday to raid them again, you would be wise not to make them wish to abandon the place!” Shocara declared. Her men frowned, but finally saw the wisdom of her words.

Shocara liked their chances for this raid, the village being separated from the Eridian lands by a deep river, which made an attack involving allowon unlikely. This had apparently let the Elvin consider it safer than it was, and more defensible, assuming any attack might be mounted solely by air. Since she could gather nearly a hundred flyers and could conceal them within only an hour’s flight of the Elvin place, she felt confident that they could easily catch the Elvin unprepared, dropping upon them in an overwhelming display of force, there being so few defenders present.

What she could only guess at was the number of residents who might be former warriors or otherwise skilled and capable. Once one of the Elvin had been a warrior, they were ever ready to fight, and even without the constant practice of the warrior, they remained skilled and dangerous. In spite of this, she felt safe in her assumptions, having found most villages holding fewer of these sorts than needed to mount a credible defense.

She had sent word to her neighboring villages, to announce her intent, and with it the date when the warriors needed to arrive, well prepared and eager to go forth. All would take large and heavy sacks, for hauling loot, likely returning looking like some sort of band of traders, most over loaded. This was the most dangerous time, as an attack against them in the air, while so laden would leave them disadvantaged, or necessitate them cutting loose their spoils.

Shocara spent much time considering how they might conduct their attack, and when the flyers from their neighboring villages arrived, she spent much of the afternoon going over her plans with the other warriors.

After eating the evening meal, she had met again with all the tribal leaders, and those who would be in charge of accomplishing different tasks. She had repeated her insistence that no unarmed Elvin be harmed, a caution met with much less than enthusiasm. Still, none were willing to openly argue or defy her. She had walked with Garen for a time, the air chilly and from the southwest, threatening a storm.

“You are less eager than you’d wish to be?” Garen asked, seeing her worry plainly.

“I have a feeling...that this is foolish and wrong, but can name no reason for my concern. We have always raided...why now should it matter more than before?” she sighed.

“Perhaps because you understand that killing Sayarin did not make life better for our people? You fear what the Elvin Princess, being his daughter might do?” Garen wondered. Shocara nearly stumbled, to hear this so precisely named.

“Dear Garen...what wizardry lets you know my worry so well? I had not been able to name it, but you have and well. I fear what she might do. Things change...I have begun to have different thoughts; it is only reasonable to think she might also! Where might that lead? Will I be able to rise up, and contend with her, or have we poked a wicked beast, which will rise up and rend us?” she whispered, touched by a cold chill.

“I have no understanding of such, and can only worry; you have no need of such!” Garen chuckled.

“No,” she sighed, “I’m quite well able to do that on my own!” she agreed and laughed.

She awoke the next morning to find a light rain falling, cold and miserable. As the light increased, they confronted a dreary mist and gloom. Everyone was grumbling, but Shocara was in much better spirits.

“The weather is our ally, and will hide us from our enemies! Or would you rather the Elvin see us well before we land, and be set to greet us with steel and arrows?” she wondered.

“I would meet them boldly, not like a thief in the night!” Hacarim declared.

“Your mate and children would likely wish you to have better sense, and be able to return to them!” Shocara declared simply. “If all had to die to prove their manliness, we’d soon be gone from this land!” she added, shaking her head, again dismayed by what the Eridian males considered a proper display of manliness.

They soon mounted up and headed out, the terranaks eager to shake off the water and fly. The large creatures cared nothing for the weather, well trained and able to fly in any condition, save when ice and sleet might accumulate and burden them.

The first day’s flight was cold but uneventful. Their leathers kept them partly dry, but absorbed enough water to be heavy and uncomfortable. They landed near the frontier, near the final Eridian village, and set up camp. They wished to be on their way, and attack as soon after it got light as possible. It was only an hour flight from this place to the Elvin village. The rain slacked off as the light faded, making everyone’s mood improve.

Shocara again reviewed her plans, but changed nothing.  She had picked the best and strongest to attack the place where the Elvin warriors were thought to be, hoping to vanquish them swiftly, and more easily get the others to capitulate and offer no resistance. She had designated three to stay awing, and keep watch, in case somehow other Elvin might come unexpectedly, and attack them while they were busy plundering, and unaware. She thought this unlikely, but her respect for the Elvin brooked no carelessness.

It was barely midmorning when her band descended from the cloudy mist in force, landing in a flurry of wings. The ones intent on engaging the Elvin warriors had to leap to the ground, drawing swords, as the Elvin emerged almost instantly, intent on fighting them. The Eridians appeared to outnumber the Elvin nearly double, but it was no sure battle, the Elvin being wickedly skilled and quick. Seeing this, Shocara diverted another handful of her warriors and went herself to help overwhelm the Elvin, leaving all wounded, dead or disarmed in short order.

While the Eridians secured the ones now disarmed, she ran back into the heart of the village, and found her men fighting against three dozen non warriors, and being handily held at bay. The skill of these amazed her, proving that they were likely all former warriors.

Her men were stuck facing them on the main street, and Shocara quickly had a dozen slip away, to circle around between the dwellings, to get to the back side of the Elvin, which would force them to fight on at least two fronts.

Seeing her intent, several of her other fighters made their way around and between the buildings, to attack from the sides. This rapidly turned the tide against the Elvin, and several fell quickly.

Shocara pushed her way through her men, to the front, where she was facing the Elvin.

“Hold!” she called loudly to her warriors, and all paused, wondering what she intended. Shocara spoke no Elvin, but wished to have them surrender. She considered this a moment, before pointing at the Elvin, and then tossing her own sword on the ground. She then pointed at the Elvin and gestured for them to do as she had done. The Elvin looked at each other, less than eager to succumb to an Eridian tactic, but seeing the number of their dead on the ground, they finally gave in. One of the Elvin stepped forward, and carefully lay his sword down next to Shocara’s. The others did likewise.

“Harm none of them!” she called. Shocara picked up her sword, and sheathed it, then gestured at the Elvin wounded. The Elvin turned away, to tend their fallen, and Shocara turned to address her warriors.

“Take only things of great value and use! We must fly quickly!” she commanded.

The Eridians were soon busy, going from house to house, searching for gold and silver, for jewelry and other things they admired. The Elvin women and children fled when confronted where ever they could, terrified of the Eridians.

By the time the Eridian sacks were full, Shocara was pacing, and scanning the skies, her inner feeling of dread growing stronger. That no Elvin were visible, coming to aid the ones there, seemed likely change at any moment. She ran around, loudly commanding the men to hurry and get ready to depart.

She thought she might succeed, when a new problem caught her eye; a dozen young Elvin women were being carried out of houses, hands and feet tied, by grinning Eridians.

“What are you doing! Leave them!” she shrieked.

“Ah Princess, what is a raid without taking a few cute girls?!” Hacarim laughed. “It’s only a few...what might the Elvin do? We’ve taken some before, and kept them! You worry too much!” he chuckled, clearly determined to not listen to her.

They might decide to kill all of us!
Shocara thought, this coming unbidden to her suddenly.
We would wish to do such if the Elvin took our women, why should the Elvin not be so inclined?
she wondered, disturbed by this new consideration, as she climbed upon her terranak.