She Warrior, OF the Seven Hells; excerpt

The Lands were cold, wet and dreary, void of any life round. There had been a city here once, many years ago. Now only decay and death remained, and one lone group of people, few in numbers. But they had a goal, all for one lone goal, that left them with a dwindling number of their group.1

They had once ruled this city, with its fine craftsmen, and weapon smiths, there had been artisans and poets.  Now just the few warriors, the last of their kind. Skilled with sword and spear, bow and lances. Only the last fifty remained, all female except for six young lads, not even old enough to start their facial hairs. 2

It was from here, that one young woman, with a quest from her people, had started on her long search. The leaders felt it would be easier for a single skilled person to sneak out and find the sought after goal. The woman would be sent with a Kooro, This was a unic that served as the servant and to tend the warrior in times of long duration from home, where it was not a good thing to risk the chances of sexual outcomes.3

Unic’s were made when there was an overstock of males, and the strongest were castrated, and used for servants, as they could do much more. This also helped the woman while spending long durations from home and her family. This also solved another problem, as sometimes strong men would try to force their way and when they had lost their manhood, they were usually more tame.4

Men, warriors to help their plight, or all would be lost.5

Her name was Katrina Bosq, known by her people as “Katrina the Cat”, as she could move with the slightest of sound, and had an uncanny agility to her.  She had been in twelve battles with her people against the Demon Horde, their term was “Atiri mo Dinro”, which meant the “Horde from the seven hells”. From where the Demon had been summoned from, and turned on it’s caller and took over the lands he had come from.6

A force had been sent to cause a diversion while Katrina and a small group had went to the boarders of Mygora, the country she had been raised and birthed in. The group then returned back to their home, leaving Katrina and her pack horse to go alone on her quest. She was now on her second day, alone, and in unknown lands. She had entered the lands of Symertha, ruled by the King Sir Porthus. But his castle in the city of Bryn was ay least twenty days by horse. With many towns and cities between. No one knew what the relationship between the two countries was anymore, as there had been no contact in years.7

Not since the conflict had started twenty years ago, by the summoning of the demon Sixunom by the fool of a court Mage, Jirgus Moore. He had been the King’s Mage, as Katrina’s people had been his champions. Only the Mage, had power lust of his own, while the Amazonian people of the Anira Moi, had been honored to be called the Kings Champions.8

Katrina, rose from her bedroll, and fixed a quick meal of cold bread and cheese for breakfast. She then broke camp, and started on her way again. With a quick look at her map, she could see she had less than two days before she reached the first town, Azural. It used to be a waypoint for the caravans traveling between countries. She had been told she should be able to purchases supplies and rest there, if all was well.9

Katrina, rode wearing her chain mail armor, and long forest green cloak, she had not her helm nor gloves on, as neither was needed her and she would be able to see and hear better without the helm. Her long mid-length auburn hair hung in a braid down her back, with two short braids hanging on either side of her face, thin and with six Dinary rib bones in one of the two smaller braids, and three in the other. Dinary, were a type of mouse, that were looked at with respect, for being great defenders of their nests.10

In the right braid hung six rib bones, symbols of valor in combat, and the left hung three, for favors of the King. The right was battlefield awards, and the left was for actions above and beyond the call of duty.  When one of her people saw these braids, they knew how much to respect her, even anyone in the King’s service would know something of the decoration, and know not to insult her, or anyone with the décor. 11

Katrina also carried several weapons with her. On her right hip, was a long sword, which was her prime weapon. Strapped to her back, she carried a short riding bow; she was skilled, but long from an expert. She also had a shield hanging from her saddle, covering most of her left hip, and easy to reach. The shield was well battered and patched, from heavy use.12

Katrina rode all day, and saw no one around, although there were a few animals, the land seemed to be void of anyone traveling it but her. Then when the first of the two suns was at four-o-clock, she was closing on a small wooded hill, and saw and heard the commotion from the birds. A large group of varied birds took off quickly and noisily into the air. Katrina reigned in her horse, and watched the hill to see what would be next to happen.13

Katrina unfastened her saddlebag, to free her helm and gloves, if they were of need. She was a fair range from the hill, although in bowshot if someone had the mind to. But the hill quieted down and no more sounds were heard nor any actions. She did not like this, and wondered what had caused the birds to flee? Something was amiss here, and she liked to know what was going on around her. Back home scouts would be sending information back, and you could figure what something was from the reports, here she was alone, and lacked her network.14

With out knowing what was around, she did not like crossing this area, as it would darken before she was passed it. Katrina looked at her map, and decided the best path to follow around this area. At least it would make who ever or what ever come into the open well before it had a chance to attack. She turned her horse to go over the neighboring hill, where she would ride to watch the other hill at all times. The next hill had a few trees, but not as heavy as the one she was watching.15

Katrina reached the top of the hill by late dusk, as an orange hue covered the ground and sky. At the top of the hill, she sat camp, with her low fire, for cooking, and laid out her bedroll. The sky was still clear, so there was no need of a tent. She scanned the other hill, and still saw nothing from that direction, and was beginning to think it must just have been a natural predator that scared the birds. 16

She ate a dinner of bread and cheese, with a couple of strips of jerky, and cooked some water for tea. She rubbed her chaffing thighs, and whished she could hurry up and finish this trip. Katrina did not like long distance riding, as it chaffed her thighs so bad. It was her only weak spot that troubled her. She thought about putting some save on her chaffs but decided to see how she was in the morning, as it had only started to bother her tonight.17

Katrina thought it was about time to start sending correspondence back to the Chieftain Mother, as she had been gone for a while. She would send a message via her Hasptra, a Courier Falcon in the morning, to let her know she was ok so far.  The Chieftain Mother, would be wondering how Katrina was doing, and if there had been any contacts so far.18

The night was quiet, but Katrina could not get rid of the feeling she was being watched by some one or something. She slept lightly, and not that restfully, expecting something to happen any time. She had not seen any movement from the wooded hill, and nothing to make her feel this way, but it was there. In the morning, she examined her camp, and nothing had been disturbed, then looked at the other hill, nothing there either.19

Katrina, finished her message to the leader of her people, then placed it in the breast-pouch for the falcon. She then fastened it on the bird, buckling it behind the wings, and sent the bird towards the direction of the town she had left. The bird was a big falcon, with silvery gray feathers, and a big black beak, and very strong for its size. It easily stood 17 inches, and could carry another animal half again its own weight , This made the bird with its speed an excellent courier of messages. In less than a minute, the bird was no longer visible, because at a distance it became almost invisible in the sky. 20

Katrina now fastened her armor on, and her weapons, and prepared to leave. With the simple camp picked up in just a few minutes, and her fire pit covered with dirt and sod, she was soon ready to leave. She mounted her horse, and collected the leader for the packhorse, and continued down the hill, and on with her quest. She never left the wooded hill unwatched, as she felt uncomfortable with it.21

By night fall, Katrina had seen nothing from the wooded hill, not even a bird flying with a distress call. She set camp gain, and slept the night in peace, with no disturbances. In the morning she ate a quick breakfast, and rode out again, heading towards the first town. 22

Katrina had stopped late in the afternoon for a quick snack, and to rest the horses. She was bout to mount back up to continue to ride out, she noticed a large bird coming towards her. It was barely visible at first, then became clear, a Courier Falcon. A message from the Chieftain Mother! Katrina raised her arm, and pulled her Falconry sleeve over it, then readied for the bird to land. 23

The large Falcon glided in and landed on Katrina’s arm, then fluttered its wings to stabilize itself before folding them in. Katrina unfastened the straps of the mail pouch on the bird, as she carried it to the cage. She put the large falcon in the cage and locked it back up.  She then reached in and pulled out fair size piece of jerky, and fed the bird. She then removed the message and read it.24

“Dear sister of the clan,25

We were glad to hear from you, and that you re doing well on the quest. I know it is early, but we all have faith in you. The town you are reaching is a  way station that used to be used by caravans from many kingdoms, and are used to many different people, or used to be. You will be able to purchase any supplies you need there.26

There has been a lull in the attacks by the Atiri mo Dinro. We are beginning to think they might have found out about you. If they have you may be in danger, so becareful. 27

Chieftain Mother”28

Katrina folded the letter in thought, thinking about what if they were now outside the kingdom looking for her? She had no real forces to fight them with, and would be forced to dodge s many as she could. She would have to keep a tight head on the trail, in case they were looking for her. 29

Katrina mounted her horse, and continued towards the town Azural. She could see the outlines of the buildings in the distance, as the sun was sinking to the west.  She decided to ride until she reached the town, about another five more hours. It would be dark, but she could at least get a good night’s sleep.  Then restock in the morning, and leave the next day. She might even be able to find out some information on what the opinion was about her people, if there was still anyone friendly to them.30

Katrina rode the rest of the day, and into the early night, entering the town. It was a traders port and way station, Filled with warehouses, and taverns and inns. There were bathhouses, and shops of all types, carrying goods from far and wide. The livery was big, and supported places for caravans to park there wagons with guards watching them. It was an active town, and looked like it probably never slept.31

She rode to the livery, and into the open doors of the stall barn. There was an office of sorts where a man sat with his feet propped up on the split door, the top being open and the bottom closed. Katrina knew she had to treat the men here as equals, as she had always treated them as subordinates. But here women were the subordinates, not the men, like in the other towns of home before they fell.  32

Katrina dismounted and walked over to the office, and looked in, the man was only half aware of her.33

“Is this the way you treat all your customers?” she asked, annoyed at the lack of response.34

“By the Gods!” the man quickly jumped to his feet, realizing what she was. “I am sorry madam.” He quickly spurt out.35

“I am no madam! I run no whorehouse!” Katrina shot back, insulted.36

“I meant no disrespect.” He responded. “It has been a long time since we saw any of your people.”37

Katrina knowing there had to be some gives to make her quest work, “Understood this time, call me Katrina” she answered.38

“Yes Miss Katrina, sorry about the misunderstanding.” He said, and there was a truthfulness to his sound. “Boy! Come take care of these horses!”39

“How long will you be gracing our presence?” he asked.40

“Maybe two days, maybe less or more, all depends on what I find out here.” She answered.41

From what the man remembered of the Amazons, he knew not to question too much, if they were here for trouble, she would not be in here as peaceful as she was.42

“A stall is three coppers a day, or the pen is a copper a day. Your horse will be better cared for in the stall, as we walk them every day, and brush them down.” He explained.43

“Good, the stall then. Here is a silver, I believe it is equal to fifteen of your coppers.” Katrina answered.44

The man felt the weight of the silver piece, and judged it to be the same as their silver Dini, equal to twenty of their coppers.45

“I think you are slightly off there, this is about a dini.” He informed her, as he knew if she found out from someone else, she would come back and accuse him of theft.46

The stable owner paid Katrina her change, and let her remove what she wanted from her horse before the boy took the mount. Katrina removed her shield, garret, and saddlebags, as well as her bird. 47

“What is a good inn here in town?” Katrina asked.48

“There are a few, the closest is just a couple of blocks down from here, the Wayside” he answered.49

Katrina thanked the man, and walked out of the stable. She went towards the inn, as there was only one direction she could go from here, the other led out of town. The load she carried was heavy and awkward, but she handled it was skill. She received a lot of looks from the people on the street, as she carried her load. It wads not often they saw a female warrior, and she made easy viewing.50