"I don't mean to pry Sister, but have you always lived at the temple?" A young Firen soldier riding next to her asked, his tone was hesitant. He wanted to make conversation but at the same time not be a bother.
It had been the second week since Nimue had left the temple she grew up in. The journey to the trading post called the Six Corners was soon coming to an end. She met the company of soldiers while traveling through a small village. They were recovering from a brutal battle with the dark forces. Nimue healed the wounded until she collapsed with exhaustion. The next day the villagers and soldiers who owed her their lives refused to let her travel alone. Half of the company of soldiers were to escort her to the Six Corners, to which she agreed.
Nimue lowered her hood and glanced to her side, a gentle smile on her face.
"I was seven when the sisterhood came to my house"
The soldier nodded in understanding. The sisterhood was well known throughout the lands as a sacred order of women, tasked with the preservation of life in all its forms. They took in young girls who were pure, kind, with the spark of magic in their souls. Their temples were often build close to the sea, the sustainer of all life. They lived secluded and secret lives. Their reputation as healers was well established, but little else was known about them.
"I...well I just wanted to let you know that.."
"SOLDIERS!, up ahead!" The captain called out, pointing in the distance, at the borders of the Six Corners. With an apologetic look in his eyes the young Firen soldier urged on his horse speeding up the front, coming to a halt beside his captain. Nimue kept up an even pace, her white mare didn't have much opportunity to rest the day before, she didn't want to push the animal past its limits if there was no need.
The famed trading post was utterly destroyed, a look of shock spread across the faces of the company of soldiers, luckily largely hidden by their helmets. Gasps of horror interrupted the silence death had left behind in its wake. Nimue also reached the front of the line, fearing what she would find down below.
"Gods..." She covered her mouth, feeling a chill running down her spine. Nimue didn't understand this senseless destruction, what was the purpose of it all?
The smell of death and decay was overwhelming the closer they came to the entrance of the Six Corners. Nimue covered her nose and mouth with her cloak in a effort to block out the sickening smell. Everywhere she looked bodies lay strewn about, men, women and children. It pained her to see their lifeless bodies. When the company arrived at the entrance Nimue descended her white mare. The bodies made it near impossible to ride through the trade post without her horse crushing them. She tied the mare to the wooden remains of a marketstand near the entrance. The captain got of his horse and made his way over to Nimue, his plate armor clinking together as he walked. The middle aged man towered over the small statured Sister. He cleared his throat. The captain had a hard time leaving this young woman, she had after all saved many of his men, including himself. They were all reluctant to leave her behind.
"This is where our ways must part Sister, may the Gods watch over you, as you have watched over us"
Nimue bowed, her left hand holding her cloak, the other crossed over her heart. Overwhelmed by the goodness of these soldiers she was left speechless. A small smile graced her lips, her eyes wandering past each face of the company standing close behind their captain. The man was about to turn his back on her and return to his recruits when one of them spoke up.
"But Sir...we can't just leave her here! It's not right...it's not.." It was the same young soldier who had tried to make conversation with her earlier when they were riding towards the Six Corners. He stopped his protests when the other soldiers were turning around to face him. They all knew it was dangerous, but the Sister had chosen her path as did they. The young soldier pushed his way past his comrades ignoring the looks he received from both his fellow soldiers and his captain. He got on his knees in front of the young woman, bowing deeply.
"Thank you Sister, for all you have done. You are a shining beacon of hope..and..y-y..you" His voice cracked with emotion. Nimue was touched by his words and seeing him struggle for words tugged at her heart strings. She placed her hand on the cool metal of his shoulder pads. Her words were practiced, but her tone warm and kind.
"Where there is darkness there must always be light."
The soldier rose to his feet and adjusted the visor of his helmet He struggled to do the right thing and ignore his feelings. Despite his better judgment he stepped forward and enveloped the young woman in a quick and wordless hug. He turned away from her and made his way back to the company. The rest of the soldiers saluted the Sister, but he kept his back toward the Six Corners, looking down at the ground.
Exit,
King Kindred,
Geraldo,
Shadowheart,
AmongHeroes,
Oso,
Archangel89
