Emil

High above his head, wind gently shook the trees, making them hiss and spit as the two travellers passed. Night had fallen a few hours ago, and already the sky was inky black, pinpricked by bright stars. Moonlight caressed Emil's hair, turning it pale as bone. The evening was warm and relatively still, and Emil set his mind to the future as they stumped onwards.

Although he missed the comfort of his home, he was glad of the freedom that had come with his knighthood. Just the memory of his aunt and uncle's faces as he ascended the steps towards the altar in the Grand Palace summoned a smile onto his lips. Alright, maybe being a knight wasn't his job of choice, but Emil knew he was incredibly lucky. Most of the people in the country were farmers or traders, both of which seemed to him tedious and tough. At least he could help people – and get paid. The only problem was, Emil was struggling to find someone to help. A damsel in distress would be his first port of call, and he had sort of rescued one already, but he wasn't sure whether Tuuri counted. She wasn't particularly damsel-like, or in much distress either.

He glanced over at the young woman, who was still desperately trying to hide the pain from her twisted ankle.

She noticed him and glowered.

Emil looked away, concealing his smirk, and focused on keeping to the path.

An hour later, Tuuri stopped abruptly, and leant against a tree with one hand. Emil, grateful for the excuse to rest, planted his hands on his knees and panted.

"How much further?" Tuuri gasped.

"A few more hours, I think."

Tuuri groaned, and slumped against the tree's broad trunk. Emil could barely make her out in the darkness.

"Can we rest for a while? Please? I'm too tired to cover any more distance without a rest."

Emil considered this for a moment. "Alright. We need to find a stream so we can refill my flask. – I'm nearly dying of thirst."

Tuuri stood up. "Lead the way."

Emil turned around a few times, gazing up at the stars to get his bearings, and then gestured between two trees to their left. "I remember there being a river that branches off north of here. Hopefully there'll be some sort of tributary somewhere here."

With the darkness pressing all around them, only broken by starlight from above, Emil felt alone and trapped. Tuuri's ragged breath grounded him a little; irregular puffs and pants coming from the gloom to his right. As he walked he held out a hand in front of him, fumbling blindly for the cool touch of bark.

After a few minutes of walking, Emil heard the quiet laugh of running water in the distance.

He was reaching out to nudge Tuuri when a blood-curdling battle cry pierced the air. He froze, heart pounding, clutching Tuuri's arm tightly.

"What was that? Was it a bird? It was a bird, wasn't it? Do you think it could've been some sort of bird, or a – a creature of some sort? I –"

An animal growl rang out, followed by another war cry and a yelp. Tuuri started running blindly through the trees, dragging Emil along by the arm.

As they ran, Tuuri yelled something at Emil that was twirled away by the wind rushing past them.

"What?"

"Your sword, Emil! Give me your sword!"

They burst into a clearing lit by a smouldering campfire just as Emil wrenched his sword free of its scabbard and handed it to Tuuri.

On the opposite side of the small clearing, two figures were standing, facing the trees that circled the space. As Emil and Tuuri crashed through the dry undergrowth, one of the figures, a tall, scantily clad woman, whirled round, eyes wide. Emil didn't fail to notice the huge, blood-splattered sword in her hands. Tuuri shouted a warning, and the woman turned back around just as something huge and dark lunged at her neck.

The man standing next to her fell back in surprise as the beast – what looked like some sort of bear – snapped empty air inches from the young woman's throat.

Tuuri sprinted past Emil, sword flashing, and took up position next to the red-haired warrior. The broad-shouldered man scrambled to his feet and caught Emil's eye, raising his eyebrows in an expression that told Emil he had just as much of a clue about what was going on as he did.

Tuuri and the warrior's blades sang as they slashed at the bear-like beast; it reared up, blood matting its fur, teeth and claws shining as it roared in pain. Still, it continued its attack, swiping with monstrous paws at the two young women. One blow caught the second woman on her wrist and she staggered back, cursing. Emil rushed forwards, catching the young woman as she stumbled. She flashed him a wicked grin, and Emil almost dropped her.

A few feet away, the bear lunged forward, claws raised. Tuuri took the opportunity and ducked under its paw, slotting her sword neatly into the exposed fur of its neck. The bear whimpered, and slid sideways to the ground.

There was silence, apart from the laboured breathing of the bear that slowly faded away, and Tuuri's gasps.

Then, the young woman extricated herself from Emil's clumsy grip, dusted herself down, and extended a bleeding hand.

"Well hello, young knight. Glad you and your courageous little fluffy-headed friend got here when you did, otherwise me and Madsen would be goners. I'm Sigrun. How do you do?"