As silent as gentle wind through the trees, I fled through the forest, using every trick and skill I possessed to avoid making a sound. Breathless, but afraid to breathe since it might reveal my presence, I slid from mighty tree to mighty tree, ever aware of my surroundings. A sly smile slowly spread across my face as I drew my long dagger- I would get her this time. I burst into the clearing, ready to grab her, but it was empty, aside from a startled squirrel hurriedly scurrying away. The groan of a bowstring pulled tight and my muscles grow taut as I slowly turned to face her.
“Of course, in a real battle, you’d be dead,” Sparra said with the smallest of smiles as she pointed her bow down. I sighed and stowed my dagger, nodding.
“I know. It seems you’ve won…again.”
“You did well, though. A real enemy not expecting your arrival would have died surprised.” Her smile grew. Her slim, muscled body turned and bent as she pulled both of our knapsacks from behind a large oak tree. I couldn’t help but smile as I accepted the water bag she tossed at me. I stared at it thoughtfully, weighing it in my hand. “Drink, Jay. There is enough to get us to the next stream,” Sparra told me, guessing what I had been thinking. I nodded somewhat doubtfully, then took a small sip. It was all I needed. Sparra suddenly stiffened. We exchanged looks before she melted into the surrounding trees, her brown and green clothing aiding her to camouflage. I hadn’t heard anything, but I trusted Sparra’s instinct. That was the way it had always been since we had begun traveling together several years ago.
I first met Sparra when I had been severely injured. I can still remember that day perfectly. I had been travelling with my father when we were attacked. They killed my only living relative before I even knew what was happening. I was hit over the head and sent into a daze as I fell to the ground. Just as they were going in for the kill, a blinding light suddenly lit up the entire area. The most beautiful girl I had ever seen descended upon my attackers. My vision was so blurred with blood that I couldn’t tell what was happening, but I knew that revenge was being enacted on those who had killed my father. The last thing I remembered before fading into unconsciousness was my savior turning to face me.
When I woke up, Sparra was tending to me. As soon as I gained my bearings and remembered what had happened, I asked Sparra if she was the one who saved me. I knew she was telling the truth when she shook her head and told me that she had found me lying in the middle of the road. Sparra was plain, tough looking, and scarred. Nowhere near what my savior had looked like. I swore to find the girl, whom I became obsessed with. Sparra said she would help me if I would help her search for the murderer of her own family. We’ve travelled together ever since.
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