Here is a scene from a story I have been working one for quite some time. It was titled The Maiden and the Mage but Ive decided that it doesn't work so I don't have an official title for it...yet. Enjoy.
Mathias sat on his horse looking out over the valley leading toward the coast. It was very lush and green, covered in vegetation. A small piece of beauty that remained in light of the long war that encompassed the Lio'Shian Empire and the Kingdom of Elodia. Mathias looked like a simple traveler but he was in fact High Mage of the Court of the Empire. He wore a simple pair of black pants, a dark blue shirt that hung loosely around his chest and a pair of boots. His staff was slung across his back and his satchel was secured on the back of the horse for now. After a few moments to finish his pipe he stashed it back in his pack and spurred the horse forward. He often enjoyed just riding like this. Away from the war, away from the devastation. He had often wondered why this war continued like it did. Very few people even remembered how it started. They were raise to believe that Elodians were evil, but Mathias did not share their views. What purpose was there in fighting if you didn't know what you were fighting for? He made his way toward the camp on the beach while these thoughts ran through his head. He snapped back to reality when a guard walked up to him. "You there! State your business." He said. "I am Mathias Arrden. I come on behalf of the Emperor." He said pulling his pendant out for the guard to see. The guards eyes widened and he dropped to one knee. "Forgive me, My Lord. I had no idea." He said, visibly shaken. "You were doing your duty." Mathias said as he dismounted the horse and retrieved his pack. "Arrange food and water for my horse and tell the Captain I wish to speak with him." Mathias said. The man bowed. "At once. This way, please" The guard led him through the camp toward the commanders tent. Mathias stepped inside and greeted the commander.
Hours later after the sun had set Mathias stepped out of the tent with the commander. "It is late, My Lord. Why don't you stay the night and return tomorrow." the commander said. "I wish I could but I have important business at the castle." Mathias made his way toward his horse when the sounds of cheering and a whip caught his attention. He followed the sound and found a large crowd of solders. The sound of crying could be heard now. Mathias pushed his way through the crowd and stopped. Tied to a post was a girl not more then a few years younger then he was. She was wearing nothing more then rags due to the whip and her face was bruised and bloody. Mathias stepped in and stopped the solder with the whip. "I demand to know what is going on here." The commander pushed through to him. "She is an Elodian. We found here wandering on our shores. The solders decided to have some fun with her." The commander said. "Well the fun ends now. You are you release her into my custody immediately. Prepare a second horse." Mathis said, barely containing his anger. "But sir..." He started to protest when Mathias fist flew up and cracked him in the nose. "You dare question my orders?" Mathias said. The commander felt his nose, now covered with blood. "No, My Lord" He said. The crowed disbursed. Mathias knelt down next to the girl. "It's OK. I won't hurt you" He said. She just stared at him, not saying anything to him. The commander brought his horse over with another one. Mathias untied her from the pole but did not untie her hands. He lifted her up onto the horse and tied her hands to the saddle horn. He took the reigns and tied them to his. Climbing on to his horse he rode out of the camp back the way he came.
A few hours later Mathias stopped the horses. He climbed down and tied the horses to a nearby tree. "We will stop here for the night. Now you have two choices. You can stay with me under my protection, or you can try to escape and take your chances with those solders. Now what will it be?" He said. She sighed, realizing that he was right, and nodded gently. "Good choice." He said as he untied her from the horse and helped her down. He sat her down and proceeded to build a fire for them. He sat down next to her and went to take her face in his hands. She shyed away from him. "Its OK. I'm not going to hurt you. I just need to take a look at these wounds." She relaxed and let him turn her head to the side. He reached in his bag and pulled out a few vials he carried. He poured some lotion in his hand and poured a few different powdered on it. He mixed it with his fingers for a bit before taking a small amount and smelling it. Pleased with the mixture he turned to her. "Now hold still. This might sting abit." He applied the lotion to the bruises and cuts on her face. She hissed slightly when he applied on her cuts. But after a few moments she calmed. "Does that feel better?" He asked her. She nodded slightly. "OK, now I need to look at your back. I promise that I won't take advantage of you. OK?" He asked. She nodded again and turned away from him. He lifted the rags and saw multiple deep gashes on her back. The had stopped bleeding for now but the rags she wore were soaked with blood. He took the remainder of the lotion and applied it to her back. She turned back toward him. "Are you hungry?" He asked her. She nodded again. "Ok. Ill make us some food. He set up a pot over the fire and cooked some stew from the food he carried in his pack. He poured a bowl for her and knelt down to her. He untied her hands and handed her the bowl. They ate in relative silence for a moment. "I never introduced myself to you. My name is Mathias. What is yours?" He asked. She didn't answer for a few moments. Just when Mathias gave up she answered him. "Amana, My name is Amana" She said. "So you can speak." He said. "Why are you doing this?" She asked him. "What do you mean?" He said, one eyebrow raised. "I'm Elodian, not just that but I'm a Princess. My Grandfather is King of Elodia. I'm your mortal enemy. Why are you being kind to me?" She said, keeping her eyes on the ground. "You may be a Princess of Elodia. I am the adopted son of the Emperor. Our countries may be at war but that is no reason why you and I should be enemies. Elodian or not, no one deserves what those solders did to you. That's why you are under my protection." Mathias said. He grabbed a couple of sleeping rolls from the horse and laid them out. "Get some rest. Your wounds should heal by morning. If not when we get to the castle Ill get Rigel to take a look at them." He said. "Promise me one thing, Mathias. You said I'm under your protection. Promise me that I stay that way. Please?" She said. "I promise, Amana. You have nothing to worry about." He said as he laid down. Just as he was about to fall asleep she called his name. "Mathias?" He rolled over to look at her from across the fire. "Mm?" He said. "Thank you." She said quietly.
Tell me what you think. I'm open to any and all thoughts, comments, or criticisms.
