A Ryder's tale

chapter 1

I switched back to human form with ease and shook my head, allowing some of the water droplets in my fur to fall off. My hair was the same colour as my fur -black and white. I pulled the deer up onto the rack, pulling out the large knife on my hip. It had a 10inch straight blade, so it looked more like a small sword instead of a knife.

I ran it down one side of the deer to allow the blood to drain out, then wiped the blade before removing the hide. I placed it to the side, to be used to finish making some more clothes and a set of armour I was planning to sell to Mackro, a wandering trader form the province of Katlu. It was in the low lands and held the capital.

I had started working on striping the meat and bones, when I heard -and smelt- a horse and a human. They were female and of the hills, I could tell by the scent. (Maybe try these smell was unmistakable/familiar etc?) I darted for the house, shoving the door open and running for the large press in the back I threw it open, grabbing the bastard sword from its sheath, already sharpened and ready for combat.

I was just about able to hold it in one hand, thanks to the increased strength of us Ryder's. As I made it outside, I noticed Lady Du was sat on a horse looking around. I put the sword into the belt of my trousers made of hemp and leather, my tunic dirty and my coat patched.

"Ah I'm guessing you're the outcast or..." She stopped speaking to check a piece of paper, "Tali?"

"That is me your lady." I replied, keeping my head down.

"I'm here with an offer of employment." She stated.

"I think I miss heard you, Lady. I'm a mixed of pure blood rage and peace, that's why I live out here, you can't want to employ me." I said looking up.

She had a short sword on her hip and a crossbow on her back. Her skin was scarred and weathered, she wasn't a lady who sat behind stone walls. I'd heard rumours but now I knew that they were true. She was only 20, three years older than me.

No, you heard me. I need a Protector, there's a power struggle coming and a civil war. I need a warrior that my father doesn't know and won't trust,that's you." She said.

"No, not happening. I know the spells they put on Protector's, that's how my parents died." I said turning my back.

"No spells then, just gold or whatever else you want." She said.

"I need some time to decided. If I agree i want to be able to see there grave." I said, without turning around.

"That seems fair. You know where to find me." She said turning to leave. She turned around and tossed me a letter.

I ate dinner, then grabbed a cup of homemade honey mead, and opened the letter. It was from my father. It was obviously written in a rush, all it siad was that when the time came to trust Lady Du and to help her take back our great country, for the bastard of the kings family. I packed my belongs and start for the castle of Lady Du, the sword at my hip and leather armour ready for war.