Short Story 1.
A quick duck and a sidestep was all it took for Lucien to dodge under its swiping right claw. It almost seemed as though the Ice troll froze for a moment, surprised by the human's dexterity and his exceptionally cold and hard steel blade carve against its outreached arm. The magical blade began to frost against the open wound as its enchantment worked to freeze the troll's icy skin sending deathly chills right into the very core of the troll. However the blade's powerful freezing enchantment also served to close the gaping wound it left behind. A grin seemed to appear on the troll's face, as if realizing that the human's sword was of little harm to it. What it did not realize was the sword's other ability. Lucien laughed at the ugly creature's feebly attempted to counter with a stab while he was still under its right arm. The longsword known as the "Squall of the North" had a secondary enchantment that took effect as the Ice troll's movements began to look sluggish and weighty. Lucien drew his concealed dagger while he spun around on his left foot, putting him back to back against the frosted skin of the troll's back. Slowed but determined, the troll strained to its right to see where its opponent had gone. Unfortunately for this Ice troll, it would not have a chance to realize the deadly mistake it had made. Lucien spun around again, but this time leaped onto the icy back of the creature, plunging the dagger deep into its twisted larynx. This weapon was not enchanted of cold and instead burned deep into the flesh of the vile creature, magically oozing viscous acid as Lucien completed the slit. Never had Lucien heard such unrecognizable death throes as the creature collapsed on its back with its sharp claws around its own neck.
"Do you always have to make it look so ugly?" Arianna winced as she growled weakly. Her wounds were deep, and blood covered her elaborately ornamented gown.
"I'm sorry, I'll try to keep it clean the next time..." Lucien paused to sheathe his blades before completing his sentence out under his breath, "your Highness." He reached into his pouch for a potion of healing and tossed it over to the beautiful, but ever annoying mage. "Drink it before you die."
"Aww... such concern? I'm touched" Arianna quipped sarcastically before gulping down healing potion. ".... I'm sorry. I guess I'm still just sore about getting this beautiful robe torn... again. Thanks" said Arianna as she tried to blink repeatedly to look sincere. It would have been convincing, if not for the blood-depleted paleness on her face. Her wounds began to heal, but slowly. She was no longer in danger of bleeding to death, but she had already lost much blood.
Sounds of fighting at the other end of the corridor ceased. Dalon, paladin of Lathander emerged from the shadows with his white armor splattered liberally with troll blood. "If you guys were done here, you could have come over to h..." He stopped as soon as he saw Arianna leaning bloodied against an icy rock. "Arie!!" he cried as he sprinted over.
"How did this happen!? You were supposed to protect her!" He glared angrily at the figure of Lucien. Quickly, he removed his gauntlet as placed his hand over her wound. A glow of mystic energy flowed from his hands onto her wounds and he made a earnest prayer to Lathander, the Morninglord. His healing hands had mended her wounds completely, and Arianna's face began to regain her rosy complexion as her blood was quickly regenerated by divine powers.
"Oh don't be angry at Lucien." Arianna said as she placed her loving gaze upon the knight in white armor. "We were taken by surprise, and I would have been dead if Lucien hadn't.... where's Lucien? He was just...-"
Before she could even turn to look around for their shadowy companion, Dalon held her up and embraced her. "Don't worry, He'll be fine. Besides, I'm here now..."
Lucien pulled his cowl over his head as he watched the pair tightly locked in each other's arms. In the silence and the shadows, only his inner thoughts were heard. One screaming for him to fight for the woman he loved. The other, reminding him of the friendship he would ruin as a consequence. The two thoughts fought each other bitterly every time he peered out of the shadows at them. He froze just as was about to step out of the shadows to interrupt them. "BE SILENT!" He commanded his thoughts.
Being a skilled Assassin also meant that he had to be practical. Lethality above beauty and swiftness above all else. No second thoughts for emotions. That was the way he survived the brutal and cruel streets of Athkala, and this is how he will continue to survive. There was no space for emotional entanglements and no time to hesitate. Besides, he thought, the knight would be able to offer her all the ornate gowns and beautiful robes she'd ever want. Riches a scum like him wouldn't be able to.
Lucien slipped back into the shadows, looked away, and silently treaded ahead of them. "To scout passage for more dangers," was the excuse that held the civil war of thoughts at a ceasefire.
He inched away further into the icy cavern's passage, letting the darkness enshroud him, and the scene of the pair's embrace behind him.
Hahaha! How's my piece of writing? Its been a long time since I wrote short stories like these.
Haven't really thought of a title.... hmmm.
listening to the rain...
8:31 PM
