Unlikely Love

The town was a neat cluster of straw huts and houses set among the trees. The towering trees cast a somber aura over the town. Some said they protected Meral, but they did nothing to shut out the harsh screams and cries that filled the air this day. Death flew on dark plague ridden wings, sweeping through Meral with no mercy. 1

Lofis entered his dark abode and went up to a man standing over a bed. The man looked up as Lofis approached. “How is she?” Lofis asked.2

The man sighed, defeat clear on his face. “The fever has her son. I fear she is… lost.” Tears streamed down the man’s face.3

Lofis stood frozen in place. Then both turned as a wrenching scream pierced the air. Pera moaned and with effort turned her head to face the two. “Pyet. Lofis. I will miss you.” She stopped and fell into a coughing fit. Her hand came away from her mouth stained red. Beads of sweat rolled down her pale face.4

“No! Mom! Please don’t leave us!” Shouted Lofis.5

“Remember…” She struggled to take in breath. “Remember, that I… I love you.” Tired beyond belief, she slowly closed her eyes as her body gave in to defeat. Hollow air escaped from her blue lips for the last time.6

“No!” Cried Pyet. Lofis could not cry. Not yet. He just stood there is shock looking down at his beloved mother.7

“Son, this is a terrible time for all of us. I still wonder how I can carry on. I have lost my wife; I will not lose my only son as well. The plague still ravages the town.” Said Pyet.8

“You…you’re sending me away?” Asked Lofis.9

“No, Lo. I’m sending you on a mission.”10

“What mission?”11

Pyet picked something up from the table and held it in his hands. “This is Mother’s protector. I want you to take it back to her father.”12

“Father is this really necessary?”13

“Yes. It was your mother’s wish. You will make your way north to Fengard. There you will find Darvin Whinn, Pera’s father. Give him the protector and tell him what happened. Then return home.”14

“Father I don’t want to leave here. You need me. Don’t deny it.”15

“I know. Which is why I don’t want to risk losing you to the plague. Please my son. Do this for me. For Pera.” He handed Lofis the slender statuette. 16

Lofis hefted it reluctantly. He must honor his mother! “I will go father! Though I do not know Fengard.”17

“The road north leads there. I met your mother there. It’s a prosperous town. Darvin is a respected noble there. You will find someone who will direct you to him.”18

“What about money?”19

“Here.” Pyet said, withdrawing four silver coins from his pouch. “These should see you there and back. Just be wary of brigands. You’ll do fine. Here, take my sword as well. It won’t do any good here fighting this plague.”20

Lofis tied the sword to his belt. “Must I leave now father?”21

“Yes, Lo. Remember in your travels, your protector will help and guide you.”22

Lofis hugged his father tightly. “Good luck Lo.”23

Lo set off from the village on the quiet road north. His heart weighed heavily at the loss of his mother and being alone for the first time in his life.24

Lo saw no one on the small dirt road the first day. He did not fear brigands. His father had taught him a little sword play and a lot of forestry. If evil men came he could use the forest to hide.25

The path passes through sparse forest. Stalwart oaks were strewn everywhere and cheerful birds gave Lofis hope of a quick and happy trip. He ate of the food packed by his father, and at night slept under the stars, well away from the road.26

On the fifth day Lofis stared ahead to a vast open plain. Seas of low grass waved in the wind. He looked worriedly back to the last oak. It stood, a last bastion of defense, the last fortress. Now Lofis felt even lonelier. No birds warmed the day with their lovely melodies. No leaves filled the wind with gentle swaying. The small streams and brooks no longer soothed with their sonorous babbling.27

Lofis pulled out his mother’s protector as he walked. The protector was given to one at birth. It was said if a person lived truthfully, and strived to do good the protector would ever aid them. Lofis had heard stories of people’s protector’s giving them suggestions that saved their lives. It was not always so though, as his lost mother reminded him.28

He looked down at his chest where his own protector hung. It felt rather warm on his dark colored tunic. Then he felt it. Almost as if something whispered into his mind. “Watch out! Run!” Lofis felt the overwhelming sense of danger, but could not identify it. He turned around glancing at the waving emerald grass. The path stood empty far off into the horizon. 29

Suddenly Lofis heard a noise behind him. He turned and pulled his sword from its sheath in a smooth motion. A force crashed into him as he turned and he was forced to the hard dirt. His sword was yanked from his grip and the wind was ripped from his lungs.30

This was it. Lofis had left a plague filled town to die at the hands of a common cutpurse. He tried to take in breath as he turned to face his executioner. The sight that greeted his eyes shocked him. A man lay on the ground; Lofis’ sword was showing from his stomach. When the body rolled it must have pulled his sword from him.31

The second sight though was far more disturbing. Another masked bandit stood above the fallen man. In his hands he held a bow and arrow aimed straight for Lofis’ heart.32

“Do not move.” Came a breathy voice. Lofis finally found his breath, all at once and took it in sharply. The voice behind that black leathered brigand was that of a woman.33

“So.” Began the woman as she paced around Lofis. “Let me see if I understand.”34

“She held the slim protector up in her hands. “You were on a journey to take this to Fengard to give to your mother's father.”35

Lofis only nodded. Fear choked his words. He had never been helpless before. Now, tied up and not even able to stand he felt very helpless indeed. 36

“Well it matters not. I will take everything you have. Now, what is your name?”37

Lofis sneered up at the woman. “Lofis.” He spat. “Though my friends call me Lo.”38

A smile came to the woman’s lips giving it an almost cruel look. “Lo. I always like to know the names of those I kill. It helps me remember.”39

Kill? Brigands didn’t kill. They stole and only killed to those unwilling to part with their goods. Then Lofis remembered the man he had accidentally done in. He must have been the girl’s… companion. 40

“I did not mean to kill your friend. Please, take my things and leave me in peace.” Lofis begged.41

The woman sneered. “He was hardly my friend. If it makes you feel better it’s nothing against you. I always kill those I rob. Though you will find I am not without compassion. Tell me you last words and I shall send them back to your family.”42

Lofis shrugged in defeat. His last words? His father would want to know what had happened. Then he remembered his mission. He could not die! His mission was unfulfilled. “I fully expect you to take my mother’s protector to Fengard and give it to Darvin.”43

“You are in no position to make demands, young man. I intend to sell this protector. I will only carry your words.”44

Lofis struggled against the ropes that bound his hands. His wrists chaffed and burned terribly as he tried to break them.45

“Ha! You village types are all the same. So naďve. Thinking your world is the only one. Well, now my world is going to be all you serve.” She said raising her bow.46

“Yes!” Lofis shouted.47

The woman lowered her bow slowly. “Excuse me?” She asked in astonishment.48

“Yes! Your world will be mine. Let me serve you. I can catch food, run errands, and tell stories. I can do anything you want.”49

The woman regarded him silently. “Intriguing. But do you think you are the first to offer such in return for your life?”50

Now Lofis smiled. “No. Though I am the first you will accept.”51

“Well, you certainly are brave. I promise you nothing. Though I will kill you, I would like to hear a good story first.”52

Lofis sighed in relief. He had always told dashing stories with his friends during nights spent in the woods. “I will tell you the story of Berin, the knight. How he fought through the decaying bogs of Glay searching for his fair love.”53

Lofis launched into the tail of Berin as the woman started a fire and sat down. Looking at her now as he went on he saw her for the first time. She wore dark leather and was shapely. Her face, dark in the night gleamed from her green eyes. Her loosely combed hair was still attractive. Lofis found as he began to describe the fair maiden in the swamps that instead he began to describe this woman. 54

The fire burned low as Berin made his way up to the mage’s tower in the depths of the swamp. When Berin rescued his love and the tale ended the woman didn’t even seem to notice. She just stared off into the dark. 55

Would she let him live? Would he ever complete his mission? He missed his home dearly. His sore wrists bled as he lay down on the cold ground, exhausted from the day.56

He didn’t hear the woman get up, but suddenly she was at his side. “That was a great story. Tell me another tomorrow and you might live to see another night.” She tossed a blanket on top of Lofis. “Oh, and call me, Kress.”57

Another day did come for Lofis. And another story for Kress. He told it as she led them off the trail and into unending waves of grass. Besides story telling she said little to him. She would not say where they were going. She scowled when he offered to help with cooking or catching food. His hands were still tied and ugly wounds covered his wrists.  A few days passed by. Each one the same. He told stories. She led them onward and rarely said a word. He thought every day of a way to escape.58

Somewhere inside him though he was glad for the company, harsh though it was. He was lonely, with no home or family and telling this strange woman stories brightened his day.59

The ground was sloping up and down around them. A few trees spotted among the grass and dirt. It was as they were walking under one tree that Lofis heard a strange noise. He knew instantly what was about to happen. “Look out!” he cried as he pushed Kress off to his side. 60

She fell hard, but was quickly up again. She turned towards him in anger as a large branch from the tree snapped and broke free. It tumbled down and crushed the ground they were walking towards. 61

Kress stared at it then at him in amazement. “How did you know that was going to happen?”62

“I lived my life in the forest. I know the woods and how they work. Us ‘village types’ are like that.”63

“But, you could have let it squash me and been freed. Why would you save me?” She asked.64

Lofis was at a loss of words. He shrugged but said nothing. Kress seemed shaken the rest of the day but said nothing more. The next morning Lofis awoke to a shock. He felt nothing at his wrists. He pulled his hands to his face and shook as he realized they were free. She had cut him free!65

Tears streamed down his face as he looked up at her.66

“Well, you did want to help with the cooking and all. Now you’ll have your chance.” 67

Lofis wasted no time testing this new found trust. “Where are we going?” He asked in earnest.68

“Don’t you know yet? We’re looking for more people to waylay.”69

“Don’t you know an honest trade?” he asked angrily.70

“I like my way of life. If you say more I might have to kill you after all.” She said, though her tone was light.71

They had found a victim that day. Lofis provided a distraction as Kress shot the unfortunate man through with a fire studded arrow. He felt bad even though he had not laid a finger on the man. 72

That night he lost himself telling her another story. Afterwards they both sat thoughtfully, looking into the fire. “Lo? Where do you come up with all these wonderful tales?”73

“I just think them up. As I start the whole story unfolds in my mind.”74

Kress just nodded. It wasn’t until later that night that Lofis realized something. Maybe it was his protector. Maybe his protector was giving him these stories to help save his life. 75

The fire was already burning low and Lofis sat thinking. Kress stared at him which caused him to shift uncomfortably. “Lo?”76

“Yes?” He asked hesitantly.77

“Would you like to head west? Fengard lies a few days away. We could find this Darvin and give him the protector.”78

Lofis pushed up onto his hands. “You would do that?”79

She stared at him intently. “Yes. I’ve been thinking the last few days. I really admire you. You are truly fearless and persistent. You always do what’s right, even when doing so doesn’t help you. Like when you saved me.” She said quietly.80

Lofis felt the blood fill his face. “Thank you.” Though the conversation had taken a turn for the better it created a strange silence between them that neither seemed able to break.81

The next day they crouched behind a small crest of dirt. Fresh loam filled Lofis’ nose. He peered over the hill at the man walking down the path. The lone man had all the look of a weary traveler. He felt wrong about this still, but he did see how exciting it was. A yell to his right jerked his head away. He looked down at Kress. She screamed in surprise at the dark shafted arrow sticking from her lower leg. Blood welled out between her fingers. 82

Lofis looked around frightfully and spotted the bowman. Lofis pulled out his sword as Kress moaned at his side. Another arrow flew and buried itself into her side. 83

“No! Leave her alone!” Lofis yelled as he charged the man. Sheer fury lent him speed and he closed the distance in a few seconds. 84

The man had drawn his bow again but dropped it and drew his sword as Lofis approached. “Your lady is fallen. Now it’s you turn to take a mud bath!”85

“Die, beast!” Yelled Lofis has he charged the man. Their swords clanged and flashed in the air. They dueled fiercely. Clang, hit, slash. Lofis almost lost his blade as it shifted in his sweaty hand. 86

He blocked the man’s thrust and twirled around the opposite direction. His sword cleanly cleaved the man’s head from his body. Lofis dropped his sword and ran back to Kress. She was pale and a pool of blood was gathering on the ground. He held up her head in his arms. “Kress? Can you hear me?”87

“Ah, it hurts!” He wasted no time in breaking the arrow off in her side. She screamed in pain. Lofis tore off his tunic and tore a strip which he tied around her side tightly. She breathed heavily.88

“It’s ok I am here. Oh Kress! I Love you!”89

She sought to master the pain and braved a sweet smile. “I love you too Lo.”90

He gently lay down beside her. The blood that stained his pants went entirely unnoticed. He cupped Kress’ head and brought it up to his own. Their lips softly met in bliss. A sweet fire swept through Lofis at their touch. His soul trembled in joy and he hungrily kissed her. She held her head up but was too weak to do much else. 91

Lofis gently set her head down again and looked over her wounds. The one in her leg wasn’t that bad, but the hole in her side was ghastly. Tears streamed down his cold cheeks. Something made him take off his protector. He laid it across her heaving chest. He stayed with her those hours and her breathing calmed. Her side stopped bleeding. 92

Lofis awoke with a start. He had not meant to drift off. Not when Kress needed him like this! He looked over at her and gasped in seeing the wound around her side gone! He tore off his tunic wrapped around the worst of the wound. His skin passed over unmarred skin. But how? He wondered. Then he remembered his protector. It still lay across her chest. 93

She stirred at his touch. “You saved me… again. I love you so much Lo! I want to be with you always. I think you had me the first day we met. But now I know I could not bear to be without you!” She swore breathlessly. 94

“Nor can I live without you!”95

“Well, what now?” She asked.96

“Let us go finish my mission.” It seemed such a long time ago he had started for Fengard. “The city isn’t far away now. Then we can, that is if you’re willing…”97

She smiled evilly. “To marry? Nothing would make me happier. I can teach you how to defend yourself.”98

Lofis smiled now too. “And I can teach you to live honestly.”99

Kress stood up on sore muscles. “Well, we better be going. We have a mission to fulfill.”100

Lofis just smiled as he gave her a hug. He had left home to finish one mission and had found instead that he had completed the best mission of his life. 101