Twillow seemed to snap out of her funk, "Oh...nothing. I thought I sensed something." She shook her head, "Go on. Show me."Shrugging, Helia held her sword at an angle from her shoulder and put her feet in a stance, "Ok. This is something an old pirate taught me...bear with me though. It looks different when I don't have a sparring partner.Twillow watched Helia maneuver the blade, arching it low and then bringing it up in broad to short patterns that seemed built into her muscle memory. Despite her interest in the blade acrobatics she couldn't shake a sense she was having. It felt like there was strong magic nearby. She'd felt something earlier today too whilst reading but it was so brief and faint she wasn't even sure if she had felt it at all and dismissed it.And then she felt the presence of magic distinctly close along with the sound of wings that weren't hers. Her head whipped around and suddenly someone grabbed her through her wings and around her chest, placing a gloved hand
Kendrick's nose had been hit with a whiff of strong fear scent coming from his garden. Something was scaring Twillow. His first instinct was that he had been right all along and the slayer was responsible. Without hesitation he came charging down the tunnel and ran into his garden to see what was wrong.Twillow screaming "STOP! STOP THIS! PLEASE!" spurred him on.But what he saw sideswiped his expectations. He saw Helia battling what looked like another fae on the branch of the tree. Then there was a bright light that he couldn't look at directly it was so intense. But he could smell Twillow's fear and see her silhouette.Then Helia yelled at him, "Kendrick! They're taking Twillow!"A surge of protective rage crackled through him as he demanded she be returned. Whoever they were, they would not get away with this. He would destroy them until there was nothing left and Twillow was safe. Kendrick reached out toward the light and the silhouettes but suddenly the winged being wearing the
Kendrick looked completely unsure as he stepped closer to the horse and patted it very gently, almost too gently, "Hey...Hershel." He looked at the animal with doubt, "Are you sure I won't hurt him?""He weighs over one thousand pounds Kendrick." she gave him a look of visual assessment, "You're...maybe two hundred seventy plus? Believe me, he can hurt you worse than you can hurt him." Helia reassured truthfully.Taking a readying breath, he put his foot in the stirrup."Wrong foot, Kendrick."He sighed and switched, grabbing the saddle horn and seat."Now just stand on your one leg in the stirrup." Helia urged him when he hesitated.He did so shakily."Ok. Now just swing your other leg over his back and sit down."Kendrick did so, but Hershel decided to move nervously to the side which sent Kendrick flopping over the other side and onto the stone floor. He grunted with pain laying on the ground and Helia snorted a laugh at his expense whilst she reigned the horse.Eyes flashing angri
Helia was a slayer. She came from a long line of slayers in her family, but presently she was the only one in the trade. Her father had grown too old and had been injured too many times by the profession to continue so she had taken up the mantle. Though her mother had not been pleased with her choice of vocation, due to its dangerous, wandering nature, her father had supported her decision and even seemed prideful that she'd followed in his footsteps.Helia was the eldest daughter in a family with no sons. She had thick, long, wavy red hair that flashed like copper penny in the sun and striking blue eyes to compliment. Standing at five-foot eleven, she was tall for her gender with a fit, muscled body; a must in her profession of killing monsters. She had a classic beauty in her features but did nothing to flaunt it. Makeup and other frivolities were unknown to her. Women in the position of slayer were unheard of, but Helia had a killer's edge and huntress's instinct that would've imp
The winged female struggled against the net, bucking her body. But she was hopelessly entangled and couldn't free herself. She was crying and seemed to slump after her fight. Quite suddenly her eyes, which were the color of purple orchids, went wide when she looked down and saw Helia dismount her horse."No...NO!" she cried out with terror, struggling even more to no avail. "KENDRICK!"Helia looked up at her, "Are you ok?"The winged creature didn't seem to hear her as it fought desperately above."Hey! Hey!" Helia said loudly and firmly, "Take it easy. You're going to hurt yourself if you struggle like that.""NO! Let me go you poacher!" she suddenly screamed with panic, though her voice sounded weak from shouting so much, "KENDRICK!"Helia shook her red locks, "Calm down! I'm not a poacher."The beautiful eyes directed at her, "This-This isn't your trap?""No. But I can free you if you just calm down. Ok?"The winged girl seemed doubtful but eventually winced and nodded. Helia's eye
Later that day...Helia gripped the hilt of the sword at her belt as she crept closer to the massive cave entrance. She had followed the directions of the people of Rumstead and found the broken topped mountain which was supposed to be the place where the Gray Shadow lived. From under her bone and metal helmet, her red hair spilled over her eyes which she had to flick away. She couldn't afford to be distracted by something as trivial as hair in her eyes...not when there was a giant residing in the cave before her. She crept closer, feet quietly crunching the rocks before the crevasse. Her shield braced in front of her.She looked up at the entrance to the cave which was very tall indeed...well over fifty feet if she had to guess. Already she was second-guessing her assumptions that the people of Rumstead had exaggerated his size if the crevasse was any indicator. However, she'd hunted trolls that weren't nearly as big as giants and they lived it caves with exceedingly tall entrances.
She swore internally when she viewed his leather boots. The giants of her country never wore any footwear so her plan to slice his Achilles tendons went out the window. Helia was trying to formulate a plan of attack or defense, but nothing seemed plausible now. If she were to kill him she'd need to get at his neck or through his eyes. Both options were dismally out of her reach. Now she was wishing she'd tried jumping down from above.In just two strides the colossus was mere yards from her. With measured, slow steps he began to circle, staring down at her with a smirk on his face. Helia turned with his strides, knowing he could swing his boot and kick her or stomp her flat in less than a second. Yet, he seemed to be toying with her nerves, circling, watching her. She kept her shield ready.He lifted his nose up a bit and smelled the air.Then he looked down at her with a coy smirk, "Oh...so you're really by yourself? That's remarkably bold...and foolish."Helia didn't respond. She ke
Quite suddenly he raised her up higher and tipped his head back. His mouth opened; lips pulled back to expose white teeth with notably sharp canines. Helia recoiled violently as he lowered her down. His hot breath washed over her with a deep menacing rasp as the dark cave of a throat seemed to gape wider in anticipation of her.Helia's fear peaked and she cried out suddenly, "The king of Rumstead!"The giant paused, his mouth slowly closed beneath her and his breath ruffled her hair, "Hmm. Rumstead. Most of you slayers are sent from there. Though...it's been awhile since the last ones." he smiled at her, "They weren't as fun as you...they tried to run."He suddenly jerked his hand up and let go of her feet in a toss. Helia couldn't help but scream as she plummeted to the unforgiving ground. But, in the blink of an eye she was slammed into and enveloped by his massive hand; snatching her out of the air and righting her in the same motion. Helia cried out with pain as she heard a pop in