Library:Valorbook of the Vale: The Courage of the Outlanders/Writing Sample

This story by Amber Raine is a writing sample for the.

Untitled
by Amber Raine

Daniel lay sprawled out on the yellowed grass of the war torn ground of Greymark Forest, billowing black vents of smoke rising all around him. His armor crafted of the finest augmented iron could no longer protect against further assaults.

Using the trusty Sword of the Ba’Heer, Daniel had kept at least two dozen dark elves away from the small camp his brother Stefan had created. The wolves of this southeasterly wooded area were nothing in comparison to the enemy that threatened their lives.

The brothers had come to Greymark Forest only yesterday after overhearing tales of a merchant shipment that had not arrived in Kingsport. The wagon was four days late now and the merchant was beginning to worry.

“Look! Over there, that has to be it!” Daniel called out to Stefan realizing what they had found. The wagon lay deserted and haphazardly upon its side. An attack was evident as the contents lay upon the ground. A few of the boxes already rummaged through and others remained closed, yet highly damaged.

&#42; &#42; &#42;

Daniel gasped breathlessly, his weak and battered body shaking him from his memory and returning his consciousness to the here and now. The dark elves were on high alert and Daniel knew it. How could they not be?

Three elves were deployed in different directions at set intervals to patrol the area, he was able to defend against any that located their camp. He had to keep his younger brother safe. Another of these elves was due to come past any moment now.

Like clockwork another elven fighter approached his location. Daniel forced himself once more off the grass and took fighter stance, his blood stained sword poised to strike.

Quaffing back his last health potion, Daniel swiftly lept forward into the path of the elf. Their eyes met and, as if by some automation, the elf gave chase. Daniel led him further away from the camp down the graveled dirt road toward the river before turning and bringing his sword to bite into the fleshy arm of this enemy.

Having learned their combat style from previous fighters and skillfully displaying the stances studied in Braemar, Daniel was able to deliver upon this abomination a final sleep.

With the last breath of life, the iron longsword of the elf was plunged into Daniel’s left side; as the elf fell so did the sword, tracing all the way down his body.

Daniel screamed as his attempt to stand failed, his legs no longer able to support him, and fell upon the solid cold ground, his last thought before unconsciousness met him, “Stefan, my brother. May you find your way out safely….”

Trivia

 * This story was a a writing sample for the Scholars of Novia's "Valorbook of the Vale: The Courage of the Outlanders" contest.