Lady Willow urged her warhorse onward. Odin’s powerful hooves seemed to echo her erratic heartbeat as she approached her destination, The Royal City of Dumanious. As the city loomed closer Willow breathed a sigh of relief it was the one place she prayed she could find help. She slowed her mount to a walk as she approached the drawbridge his powerful hooves tapping a rhythmic beat as they crossed the wooden planks. Though no movement gave her away she turned and observed the curtain wall where archers and soldiers patrolled, she could tell from the insignia on their uniform that they where from the lower barracks. The men moved clumsily she frowned, soldiers that had never seen battle walked as these did it was just another reminder how different it was for those who lived away from the frontier. Turning her attention away she then focused on the soldiers standing guard at the gate. She barely hid her disgust as she looked at the soldiers manning the gate one in particular revolted her, his armour was spotted with rust and she could tell by the way his sword hung at his belt that it was not well cared for and was most likely in need of a good oiling.

“State your business within the Royal City,” the guard drew close to her horse but Odin side stepped with a warning snort.

“You have no reason to get any closer sir,” she warned. “My horse is a warhorse he will bite you at the least and as to my business in the royal city, I have a message for High Commander and Lord, Richard Alexandra.”

The soldier raised a disbelieving eyebrow but was forced to move after the gatekeeper called for him to move, the gatekeeper bowed his head to her, and she smiled in return having met the soldier on duty before he was a soldier from the lower garrison where her brother was serving as garrison Commander.

As Willow nudged Odin forward she paused and turned to the soldier who had stopped her. “Your captain should be ashamed,” he gasped but she continued unrelenting. “You have an image to uphold, this is the royal city where ambassadors from other states or countries see who we are, and you well you do not portray a well kept soldier. Clean your armour and keep your sword well oiled you might need it one day.” Before he could retort to her scathing remarks she nudged Odin onward with a brief nod to the other soldier who smiled at her before turning his attention back to his work.

Once inside the city she made straight for the lower barracks where she hoped to find her brother, she rode into the courtyard scattering the soldiers on their way out on patrol they turned to her disgruntled then noticing her badges of office quickly returned to work. A captain approached and Willow smiled in recognition.

“Captain Colin, it’s great to see you.” She cried in delight it had been some time since she had seen a friendly face and his cheeky face always made her smile.

Colin grinned and unceremoniously took her reins. “Lady Willow, such a heart felt greeting.” He teased. He suddenly flinched as Odin nipped his arm Willow reprimanded the horse but Colin took little notice having also been raised around warhorses and this one he knew well.

“Is my brother about Colin?” she asked anxiously looking around as if he would appear out of thin air.

He shook his head. “No he is up at the palace with King Edward.” Willow closed her eyes distraught she sighed knowing there would be no-one else in the lower garrison who would know where her father’s whereabouts.

“Colin I need a favour.” She dismounted rubbing Odin’s powerful black neck.

“Name it and it’s yours Lady Willow.” He replied solemnly. She turned and flashed him a devastating smile causing him to falter she had grown since he had seen her last and she had a powerful presence about her and it wasn’t because of her armour which he knew she hid under her hooded dark green cloak.

“Can someone take care of my armour? I haven’t been able to clean it yet.” He gasped as she removed her cloak revealing her blood covered fish scale armour, on closer inspection he noted her helm had a split in it. Swearing Willow removed her helm, her burgundy coloured curls spilled in disarray down her back her almond shaped olive green eyes scanned the courtyard wearily.

“Willow,” she turned and stared at Colin’s pale face and saw her own washed out features reflected in his eyes.

“What has happened?” he reached for her but she sidestepped his embrace causing him to sigh, she shook her head and began to unfasten her armour, Colin called over a soldier who stared surprised as the bloody armour was placed in his arms. Willow remounted with a wince she touched her side nudging the hilt of her sword in the process drawing her attention to it. With a deep breath she unbuckled her sword her hands trembled as she held it out to Colin she would only have to remove it at the palace and she didn’t want to leave it with just anyone she only gave it to people she trusted, Colin took it reverently knowing what it meant to her to be parted from something that kept her alive where she as from, as he looked back up he realised there was a stain where she had touched her side.

“Take care of this please I would stop and chat but I really must speak with my brother. Thank you Captain Colin.” She secured her cloak then galloped from the lower garrison Colin stared after her concerned and amazed he turned to the stunned soldier holding Lady Willow’s armour.

“Captain was that really the Commander’s sister?” the soldier gulped.

“Yes soldier, now then let us get too cleaning this armour for the great lady.” The soldier nodded and followed the concerned young captain towards the armoury where they found a sour armourer muttering darkly and leaning over broken weapons.

“What do you want Captain.” The weapon smith stood up his height was imposing enough but with his large muscled frame he had come to be nickname The Sour Giant. Black hair clung to his golden coloured skin and dark brown eyes narrowed as the Captain just smiled at him he turned his gaze to the timid mouse at his side then paused with a frown.

“That armour,” he pointed to a work bench. “I will clean it.”

“What no argument or lecture.” The young soldier cried in surprise causing Captain Colin to chuckle the lad was in for it now.

“Did the timid mouse find a voice?” The lad almost squeaked as the weapon smith walked towards him but Colin interrupted.

“That’s enough soldier leave the armour and return to duty.” Thankful the soldier placed the armour on the work bench and fled.

“This is why people are terrified of you Delran.”

“That is not why they fear me Colin it is because I am from the tribes.” He walked towards a hand pumped well and filled a bucket of water.

“Humph,” Colin snorted Delran turned questioningly. “That never bothered the Commander or me Delran we lived and bled on the frontier men are men to me.”

“I am aware, the cold look you give is far worse than the frightened ones city boys give.”

He set about cleaning the armour almost reverently.

“Its special isn’t it?” Colin asked moving closer he still held Willow’s sword and Delran noticed.

“May I?” Colin hesitated Willow had entrusted him with her blade but he was no weapon smith.

“Do you hesitate because of where I come from?” Captain Colin bristled and placed the weapon on the bench.

“I hesitate because of who it came from not where you come from remember that smith.” He barked before storming out, Delran chuckled he had always like the Commander and Captain they had both at one time told him that they didn’t care where he came from they would kill anyone that threatened their King and country.

With a deep breath he turned his attention back to the armour on his work bench.

“So there are still some who can create Elven armour styles.” He began washing the fish scales enjoying the rare chance to work on exotic armour, even more amazing to feel the power the hummed under his hands and flowed through him like a fresh breeze.