Dark Knight

Chapter One~Elsanna

Walking up to the steps of Emain Macha's castle, I thought about how reluctant Aodhan had been to give me the anti-fomor cloth and let me go to the Baol Dungeon in Another World. I couldn't help but wonder if he doubted my abilities. I know how to take care of myself, and I don't know why he had cared so much.

As I approached Aodhan, I noticed that a royal guardsman was giving him a report. I stood and waited, taking in Aodhan's sharp features which mirrored his expression. He had thick eyebrows above sharp azure eyes, a thin nose, and an angular chin. Aodhan's thin lips were taut with determination. The single braid hanging from his short hair instantly identifies him as a Knight. Tall and sure of himself, he sticks out his chest as he talks, leaving a powerful impression over those around him.

The guardsman's eyes shifted to me, looking around Aodhan's figure. This caught the capitan's attention and I suddenly felt self-conscious. My Sandra's Sniper Suit exposed my midriff and some of my wounds were still visible and not fully healed. My long, silver hair was slowly falling from its fishtail braid. Goddess I was a mess.

"Elsanna?" He asked, taking in my thin, toned, form. I simply reached into my inventory bag, lifted out the anti-fomor robe, placed it into his hand, and whispered,

"Thank you..."

I blushed and began to turn away, but a gloved hand on my shoulder halted my progress. What was wrong with me? Milletians don't blush in front of Tuatha de Dananns! Especially when it is the Captain of the Royal Guards.

"I'm glad you're safe..." He began, "but you should not be so reckless. It is not your job to sacrifice yourself like this."

"Aodhan, as a milletian and a Paladin-"

"No! You need to be more careful! Have you even seen a healer since you've been back? Or are all of those injuries self-bandaged?" He was trying to guilt me into seeing Agnes, wonderful.

"Self-bandaged. I'm getting better at it so I'm glad you've noticed," I smirked, sarcasm dripping from every word. I was planning on riding my horse, Barrow, to Tir Chonaill to see Dilys in the morning.

Aodhan turned to the guardsman and stated, "I am going on patrol, keep a lookout for trouble." He turned to me, "Care to join me, Elsanna?"

He wasn't truly asking, but I went along with it. I knew I was about to be dragged to Agnes' healer house. I watched as he grabbed his horse, a white mare with a coat flecked with grey, and motioned for me to follow him. I summoned Barrow, my chestnut stallion, and rode alongside Aodhan.

As we rode down the cobblestone streets of Emain Macha, my inventory bag thumped against my right side. Pain exploded beneath my skin, hot and throbbing. I briefly let go of the reins to clutch the bandaged wound.

We were close to the healer's house and I began to feel faint. The last thing I remember was sliding from my horse and hearing someone shouting my name before I was shrouded in a blanket of darkness.