A Stroke Of Originality

“I take it there’s no changing your mind about this? Just let him be a coward,” Elias suggested.

Semira ignored him and charged into the king’s tent with Elias by her side.

“Your majesty,” Semira grumbled, as the king played a game with his jester.

“Bow before his majesty!” A guard quipped, drawing his sword.

Semira gave the guard a look of fury that sent chills down his spine.

“If I were you, I’d put that down. You’d be a fool to point a weapon at her without expecting consequences later.” Elias said, grabbing the edge of the guard’s sword, slowly lowering it.

“It’s okay Davi, let her pass.” The king assured his guardsman. “What is it, Semira? Shouldn’t you be off on the battlefield?” He answered, his back still turned to her.

“I am coming to give you my formal resignation from your war. I can no longer fight for someone who sits in a tent far away from the battle and plays games while his men fight the battle for him. After today’s battle, Elias and I will no longer be among your soldiers.” Semira said firmly.

The king stood up from his chair and turned to Semira, with anger in his eyes. Elias slowly inched his dagger into his hand as he watched the king approach them.

“Don’t ever come into my tent with such insults again, or I will have you head on a platter, hanging from my walls.” The king rebuked.

“Do you accept my resignation, or will I have to fight my way out of here?” Semira replied, standing her ground.

Elias quickly moved to Semira’s blindside, with his dagger hidden, preparing for the worst. The king looked as if he wanted to behead her right there in his tent, but looking around the room, he could see how hesitant his guards were.

“I accept your withdrawal, but I fully expect you to finish what you started out there today. Is that understood, Semira?” The king seethed.

“Understood,” Semira retorted, turning to walk out of the king’s quarters.

Elias bowed his head and twirled his hand before turning to follow Semira.

“Ah, and one last thing. Don’t expect a warm welcome the next time you visit the kingdom after today — neither of you.” The king’s words were cold and sharp.

The warrior stopped and looked over her shoulder as if she were going to say something, but thought against it and exited the tent.

“Well, didn’t think we were going to walk out of there without bloodshed.” Elias pointed out.

“That man is a coward, his blade hasn’t seen combat in ages, and his guards lack the basic combat skills.” Semira shrugged, “I could’ve walked in there with a fork and still came out victorious.”

“I feel I’m going to die from a heart attack, before someone guts my heart from my chest, traveling with you,” claimed Elias.

“I’d stab you myself before I give the heart attack the satisfaction of getting the kill,” she joked. “Let’s get this last battle over with, and make haste as far as we can from this horrid place.

Back on the battlefield, Semira’s fury brung about a hasty retreat from hordes of soldiers as her ax’s delivered devastating destruction to anyone they came in contact with. It wasn’t long before the opposing army began their retreat. Semira, Elias, and the king’s army began pressing the enemy. During the push, Elias spotted an archer aiming directly at Semira and promptly shoved her out of the way. In turn, Elias took the arrow to the chest, falling to the ground. Semira turned and saw the archer, reloading an arrow, and she quickly lunged one of her ax’s at his head, killing him instantly.

“Get up Elias, don’t you die on me now.” Semira kneeled down, trying to help her companion up.

“I’m not going to die yet, we still have lots of lands to t-travel,” he grunted as Semira helped him up. “That was one of our archers, I’d say the king has officially put a bounty out on us.” he continued, breaking the arrow off from his chest.

“I’ve noticed, any other time I’d make my way to his tent and end his life for taking a shot at me, but this time I’ll make an exception. You’re hit, so let’s make our way out of here before it gets bad,” she replied.

“Aw, she actually cares about me.” Elias chortled.

Semira slapped his wound, “Anything else you want to say?”

“N-No, nothing a-at a-all. Let’s just go,” he replied.

Semira wrapped his arm around her shoulder and moved swiftly off the battlefield. At the same time, the king’s army chased down the retreating enemy. She looked behind her to see if anyone was following them. That’s when she noticed the king riding on horseback to speak to his troops.

“I bring tragic news amidst our victory here today, my brothers in arms.” the king said. “The warriors known as Semira and Elias have killed one of our own here today, and for that reason, I hereby announce them enemies of the kingdom! I will award fifty silvers to anyone who brings me their heads!”

“That coward,” Semira scoffed, “We need to move faster before they realize which way we went.”

Elias removed his arm from her shoulder and stood tall, “Let’s get out of here.”