Stormborne

Chapter One

Hey guys, this is my first time posting on Wattpad, I'm just hoping for some feedback and constructive criticism! If you take the time to read this, I would just like to say thank you so very much, it means an awful lot!

Thanks again!

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Chapter One

Lya stood on the gallery above the yard. Her younger sister Elysa was beside her, fawning at the boys at swordplay below.

"Look at them, Lya, they will make great knights one day." Elysa exclaimed breathlessly.

Lya had lost count how many times she had told Elysa that most of the boys below would never make knighthood. Most would spend their lives here at Stormgarde, tending horses and serving their lords. A few may see the wonders of the world, if her lord father took a fancy to the cooking of their newest cook, he may take them to The Kingsmire, or Eastwood, or perhaps even as far as sprawling city of Helmholme, seat of the king.

Lya had been to Helmholme once, not six moons ago. Her father, Lord Matthias of Stormgarde, had been invited to a jousting event in the capital. He had took her with him, with her brothers Zachary and Jon. At first she had relished the idea, armoured knights besting each other, the bright colours of pavilions and more standards and sigils than one could imagine. However, once she arrived at Helmholme, she had missed the rolling fields and orchards of her home. She missed the sixty foot curtain walls, designed to survive the storms that wrecked against the sheer cliffs of the coast on which Stormgarde perched. Those walls made her feel safe, as if not even the Gods could cast their wrath on her.

She gazed out above the walls now, to the dark clouds on the horizon. A storm was gathering. Her thoughts went back to her sister. Lya could not tell if she was irritated or envious of Elysa's innocence.

"One day, perhaps. There is a storm gathering, we should go inside." She told her sister. Her sister skipped off in the direction of the kitchens, she was quite friendly with the cooks. Lya walked back into the main of the keep. She started in the direction of her chamber, but soon found herself wandering the halls aimlessly, as she oft did these days.

Every hallway and arch, each turn brought out more memories. Lya knew that she would not belong here much longer. She wondered if the Darquewood would ever feel this much of a home to her. Perhaps one day, she thought, once I have married my lord husband and bore him children. She had never visited the Darkewood, but she had heard tales. The land around there was thick forest, The castle, also named Darkewood, was a traditional motte-and-bailey castle, set upon a hill. One also heard dark rumours and whisperings about the Darkewood. The commoners said that dark things roamed in the woods, sinister creatures and some even went as far to say that the Lords of the Darkewood were half-human, half-wolf. She found the idea absurd, but she still felt uneasy about spending the rest of her life in an isolated castle, surronded by dark forest, and a supposed monster for a husband.

Her feet brought her to her chamber door, and she found that she was glad. A bath, I think. Her handmaiden, Rosalin, was folding up her freshly washed gowns and placing them gently into a chest. The sight sent a pang of nerves through her body. They were packing her things ready for the when she left. Only a few days remain to me, she thought.

"Good afternoon, Rosalin." She said.

Rosalin jumped in fright.

"Good afternoon, My Lady." she replied, startled.

"If you would be so kind, would you ready me a bath please?" she asked politely. She did not believe in talking to anybody unkindly, even those who served you.