A fantasy series I am creating, hoping for it to contain a lot more story based aspects rather than just smut, hope everyone enjoys the first instalment!
Chapter I - Screams
"Adia!" I hear a voice cry out "Adia! Come quick!" I hear it cry out again.
I rub the sleep from my eyes and grumble. As I pull myself from the realm of sleep the tolling of a bell begins sounding off in the distance, growing ever closer. Sefare bursts through my chamber door, desperately trying to buckle her own armour.
"You must come, they are here."
I toss the sheets from the bed, running to the window I throw the stain glassed panels open. Screams ring out in the courtyard as warriors usher civilians into the castle for refuge. On the horizon, thick smoke, black as night plumes into the sky, blotting out the afternoon sun. Fuck! We were meant to have another week to prepare. I turn back to Sefare.
"Gather the knights and have them escort the queen to the throne room. We must rally the troops, assemble them outside the portcullis and be prepared to ride out."
She nods to acknowledge, rushing from the room. I strip down out of my night gown and begin slipping into something more appropriate for war. In my leathers and cloth, I whip my belt around my waist, fumbling with the buckle as the sword jiggles around. Servants and warriors scramble about the corridors, I push past them, marching for the throne room. The large, ornate doors are already open. Lords and ladies are swirling around one another, mindless panic and babbling as the queen tries to put their minds to rest.
I draw my sword and clatter it against a shield on the wall. Everyone jumps out of their skin and turns.
"Silence!" I scream, my voice echoing around the room.
The queen breathes a sigh of relief. The lords and ladies make a path as I move for the throne. I take a knee at the feet of the queen, looking up, she gestures for me to rise.
"Lords and ladies of the court, please let us not panic prematurely. They are yet to reach our walls." Their eyes dart around, looking to one another. "Now, if you will return to your chambers, further instruction will arrive, until then, remain calm."
They all grumble, shuffling out from the room. The soldiers at the door close it behind them. The queen plants her head into her hands, letting out another sigh. She fixes her posture and looks to me.
"How bad is it Adia?"
She may have fooled the lords, but I see the fear growing in those familiar eyes.
"I have scouts riding out. They should return within the hour m'lady."
"Is this Bal'Garach?"
"It is too early to say - but I too fear it may be. Our forces are assembling outside the main gate, ready to move on your order."
"I do not want to meet these forces head on, if they are what we suspect. No, I want the remaining villages to be evacuated and brought behind the safety of these walls."
"Understood."
I bow once more, before gesturing for my knights to follow. I gather them at the portcullis. The day brings with it blue skies. A cool air breathes in from the open plains.
"Sefare, you will come with me to Highfront. Orella, you will go with Aelina to Windvale. Ezabell and Lilian, you will ride out to Lakebury. Hurry the people from their homes, they must travel light, so that your return may be swift." Everyone nods in agreement. "Take a company of men with you each. May the gods bring us all back."
Each of these women I trusted with my life. Their beautiful, toned bodies were all hidden under the plate armour they wore. We have all fought together, we have all bedded with one another. Our bond is strong. The other knights disappear. Sefare stands at my side.
"Ready the horses and the men."
"At once."
She darts off. I return to the castle. Servants dress me in my plate armour. It shines when hit with the morning sun. Intricate etchings of my previous battles tell a story across the shoulders and chest. The servants are nervous, their fingers tremble as they clasp my buckles and tighten straps. My curvy figure hides inside the steel, suppressed by my armour. I return to the courtyard, finding Sefare ready with my horse.
Even now, her caramel brown skin gleams. She allows a small smile to crease her laughter lines. A servant kneels, interlocking his hands, giving me step up so that my first foot locks into the stirrup. I heave my trailing leg over, adjusting in the saddle so that I am comfier. We trot out under the portcullis. The others have left, leaving a single company of men, all of them mounted.
"Men! We ride for Highfront. I know you have seen the smoke, heard the whispers, but fear not, for you ride with me!"
The men explode in a tremendous uproar. I whip the reins and the horse breaks into a gallop, Sefare by my side and a hundred men at my back. The road is long, but we make good time. The sun is dipping behind the horizon as we reach Highfront, its wooden battlements stand out amongst the green of its surrounding. The black smoke still a strong symbol in the evening sky. We approach the gates. A guard yells out for them to be opened. We are greeted by the captain of the guard. Sefare rides beside me, staying on her horse. I dismount, my armour clanking as I hit the cobbled street.