Part 1
The air was cold. My breath fogged as I lazily trotted through the woods. The sword on my back slapped my leather armor with each step. I was a long ways away from anything called home.
I was a traveller. A fighting arm that never stayed in one place for long. I fought for coin, other times to defend myself and, in some instances, because it was the right thing to do. My skills grew over the years.
Fifteen summers of traveling, never staying for more than two in any one spot. I could have stayed in many a Lord’s abode and been welcomed till my death. I could have had a family and children, but a sadness always came upon me, no matter the woman who wanted me for husband. For me, such life was not to be. Anytime I spent too much time in one place, the great sadness that told me, what I wanted was not where I was, but somewhere else. Out there in the world was what I wanted, but what that was I could never guess.
I trotted through a forest of tall, old-growth trees. The sun stood at mid-day, but it was gloomy under the canopy, still cold from the night’s air. Ferns grew in clumps among the tree roots, but the ground cover was otherwise sparse, so passage was easy.
The last village had hired me to protect them from a band of thieves. A group of eight former soldiers had taken to the small village like ticks on a deer.
I remembered the looks on the villagers’ faces when I came trotting up. They’d mistaken me for one of the bandits. I chuckled to myself at the memory...
(...Flashback here...)
....but the need to move on had come again—the sadness that this place did not hold the answer to my longing.
The Village Elder finally accepted my decision and given me directions to the next town twenty days away. When he explained the way, it seemed quite circuitous. I inquired about this but he simply answered that path was the only safe route.
I found the first day taking me to the top of the first mountain range. I stopped to rest as I looked out over a valley below me to the north, then to my south where the lower hills began abruptly. I was to stay close to this second range and travel west past the mountains before turning north. I looked over the north valley; it looked beautiful. Beyond, the next set of mountain ranges began, and a third set, then a truly large mountain stood tall in the background, with clouds pouring off of one side as if appearing magically out of nothing. It stood in the background, dominating the other mountains before it, truly the grandest of sights. I looked down before me, Great Oaks and maples covered the valley below. Where the trees thinned, I could see the glistening of a river. Up here above the tree line, the sun beat down upon me despite the chill in the air, my throat was parched and I had emptied my canteen early.
I contemplated upon my choice of paths. The valley to my north looked inviting, and I could see a low opening at its other end. The valley would provide a way out to the hills beyond with little trouble for one man. The Elder advised me to stay on the top of the range. A lot of up-and-down travel—and for what reason? The valley looked like a better way to go and would shorten the miles traveled. My mind set, I stood up, settled my sword and sheath, quiver, and hiking pack upon my back. Picked up my bow and set off at a trot.
So I here I was, passing down into the valley forest. It was easy going, downhill, and my pace steadily ate the distance. I enjoyed the coolness under the canopy of leaves, and my mind settled into calm alertness. It was quiet here; I found myself enjoying the silent presence, this forest. I soon came upon a deer trail most likely leading to the river I’d spotted. The path was well beaten and free of undergrowth, I’d easily be able see threats around me. Picking up the pace at the thought, I followed it. My body was used to trotting all day so I welcomed this reward of fresh water for my troubles.
When I finally saw the light brightening ahead, I knew I was coming out of the forest. The sound of water breaking over rocks was pleasing to my ears as I broke upon a grassy area. I paused to let my eyes adjust to the brightness, scanning for threats of both man and animal. It was safe, and it felt safe, so I made my way to the river.
A nice large, flat rock just at the edge looked inviting. I strung my bow, set it and two arrows down on the rock. Then I put my sword and pack down on the grass beside the rock. With my bow within reach, I filled my water bottle and drank the cold liquid with long and deep swallows. It tasted sweet and so good. Filling it again, I pulled some jerky from my belt pouch and just absorbed the forest around me as I ate. The calmness settling upon me made me treasure this beautiful place. Something about this place had a feeling of home about it.
My body was cooling down by the time I finished with my meal. I needed to get moving again before I chilled and became stiff. Donning my gear, I felt remarkably well. This place truly was magical; I wondered why no one had settled here. I could tell game was in abundance, and the fowl sang across the wind like music.
Starting off at a fast walk, I entered the edge of the forest. The deer trail branched earlier to continue along parallel to the river, and I went back to follow it. The darkness of the canopy took a minute to adjust to, beams of sunlight shining through the trees like solid spears. Picking up the pace to a slow trot, my mind soon forgot my body as I enjoyed the beauty around me, the slap of my sword a familiar comfort.
...
The sun began to set. I’d reached at least midway through the valley. Soon I’d have to think about camp, I mused to myself as I trotted over roots and rocks along the deer trail.
I came upon a glade so I slowed to a fast walk, scanning the area over. I’d taken several steps into the grass when someone stepped out of the trees ahead. A woman. I halted, quickly looked her over before glancing around the area for others. She’d taken me unawares, and that was a shock. Now I was alert for more threats.
She was all I noted, I sensed no others behind her or behind me. Surveying her, I saw a tall, thin woman. White long hair and a matching flowing dress gave her an ethereal elegance to match the beauty of her face. Delicate brown eyebrows under straight bangs, eyes of striking dark beauty, sharp cheeks and nose all combined to give her an expression of command. Her lack of surprise at seeing me told me she knew of my presence. She just watched me, observed me as I recovered from my shock. I felt no hostility toward her, but being one not to be caught off guard, I instinctively dropped my bow and reached for my sword.
As my hand moved overhead for the hilt of my sword, her expression switched from calm observation to decision. Her arm flew up, palm forward, and a force flung me harder than a horse kick, flinging me backward. I managed to draw my sword before slamming into a tree with a loud crack as I felt the impact on my ribs. The sharp pain blanked me for a second, but I recovered in time to hit the ground with my feet. My knees buckled and my back hit the tree trunk a second time. Breathing hurt. I knew I was not going to be swinging my sword, but I was determined not to be taken lightly. Back against the tree, knees bent in a crouch, I braced myself as I tried to grasp what just happened.
She stood there, observing me again. I stared into her eyes and saw something there I didn’t understand. I tried to come to grips with what I was feeling in my soul as well as the pain of my body.
I was broken, that I could tell easily enough. I also knew that somehow I didn’t resent her for hurting me. I wanted to know why—I hadn’t intended her harm. No anger was in my mind as I braced to defend myself.
Her gaze slowly changed from cold observation to open curiosity. It seemed like she was trying to decide something as I continued to absorb her beauty. My breath came as sharp stabs of pain as I stared at her and knew... I had found something I had been looking for. Like finding my place at last, deep within those eyes. If I died now, so be it. I could be content with this moment.
She tilted her head to the side a little, like she could hear my thoughts. I knew I’d met magic. There was no way I could survive this moment if she chose to not let me live. I still grasped my sword out of stubbornness, I would not submit to anything less than the dignity of fighting to my last. This Lady in White deserved no less from me. I would not let her down by being less than the man I was.
I could feel one of my lungs growing heavy, my breaths came in short gasps. I coughed and felt blood come up. My head was growing light, but I was determined to die here looking into her eyes in defiance. She deserved my best. I’d never felt what I saw in her eyes, I just knew I had been looking for it all this time.
She straightened her head, having reached a decision. No emotions showed in her calm expression, and yet I knew her intention. I had no explanation for how I knew, but I did, even as I grew faint with the pain. I wasn’t going to let a moment slip away if this was all I had before I died.
I knew she was what I’d sought all this time.
