Rise of the Warrior of Everfen

Chapter 5: Challenge

The sun rose early and she rose first. She often did to keep Nukbrik from harassing her in her sleep. Except today was different. For the first time in fourteen years, she didn't wake up with no escape, she didn't wake up with sealed doors or chains on her. She rose with the sun alive, untouched, and free.

For the first time in her life, it was a good morning.

Confidence poured through her, a strange exuberance and she wanted to move, to stretch her legs. She didn't have to wait for someone to open the door to her locked room in the barn. She could get up and go. So she did, she crawled out of the tent they'd pitched last night, gifted to her by Lohke, and under the barely lit sky.

The soothing melody of a stream flowing nearby was simply a part of the morning's music, adding it's own beat as the birds began to chirp and fly through the breeze. A few crickets dallied their own tunes and she was free to listen to it all, to walk through the woods, to run and move.

As she stood outside of the tent, she looked around her. The dire wolves the orcs rode were all huddled in a pile like giant, happy lap dogs and she walked softly across the encampment so she wouldn't wake them. They were content to let her pass without even cracking open an eye. Either she was sneakier than she thought, or they viewed her as no threat.

She passed easily between the smattering of tents the orcs had constructed for their selves for the night. Small stretches of canvas leaned up against trees to support them, blocking their sleeping forms from sight. She couldn't say if anyone was awake as she left it behind and made her way to the stream.

As she finally reached it, she could feel the music of the forest fold around her. There was an open field on the other side, a few small birds fluttering from the trees and into the grass, then back again. From here she would be able to see the sun come up. She had the time, the choice, the ability to stand and watch it rather than marching to the field for a day's work. She hadn't had this kind of luxury ever. She'd been loved as a child, she remembered delicate, treasured memories of her parents, but she'd been so young. To truly have freedom, to be under no one's rule. This was new, this was different. Once she made it to human territory, the possibilities would be endless.

"Not wise to run while we're still on orc grounds." Erinne flinched at the deep voice and wheeled, fists swinging, but Cold Hammer shifted so her fist shot right past him. He arched an eyebrow and she stared up at him. She hadn't even heard him coming. How he'd moved so quietly she couldn't guess, but now her heart was in her throat, nerves on edge. His words did nothing to ease her sudden alarm either.

"I'm not running."

He snorted, "Then what are you doing?"

"I don't have to explain myself to you." That kind of terse response earned her lashes with Nukbrik on a bad day. Extra work on a good one.

His eyes narrowed and he stepped closer. It seemed with him it would earn her anger. "No, you don't, but don't take that tone with me, Human. I am not Lohke, I'll put you down."

"I dare you to try-" His hand curled around towards her quick and she barely ducked it or the blow would've knocked her sideways. He looked surprised that she'd so effectively avoided being hit, and even more surprised when she attacked back. She didn't get the chance to ponder her reaction, it probably wasn't the wisest move, but after so many times in an orc fight ring, she was extremely reactive to anyone coming at her with closed fists. She dove into the fight without hesitation.

Orcs were a lot bigger than humans, and she being a woman made him easily twice her size, but she knew how to land a blow. Orc's were sensitive just under their nose and above their lip, but you had to land the hit between their tusks, if you hit their tusks you were going to break your hand. Her hit was true, it wasn't the first time she'd attacked an orc.