Chapter 2 - Martin

Jordan's short, wavy hair was spread all about her as she lay by the side of the creek. The sun gently pierced through the leaves, warming her face while her feet dangled in the water. Jordan closed her eyes and let down her guard. She knew someone or something would come out and attack her, but right now, she didn't have a care in the world.

Her grip on her sword hilt loosened, but not enough to let it fall. All of her possessions had been gained by means of trade. Or, if that didn't work, she would come back to the same person and steal it. She didn't care. Why should she? She'd learned not to stay in one place for long the hard way a few too many times.

Through her many interesting and life threatening trials, Jordan had been able to teach herself accurate means of defense. In other words, she could handle a sword better than most knights could twice her age and size. But she was always attacked when she least expected it. When shadows became friendly and warm. No one trusted her. No one could be trusted.

Then, not to her surprise, she heard branches breaking. A distant scream sounded in the distance. Tiredly, Jordan pulled on her boots and trudged in the direction the scream came from. Why not? It wasn't like she had anything to lose.

The feminine scream became louder and longer. Jordan broke into a run. She didn't want anyone to have to suffer the way she had all her life. She began to breathe heavily.

Finally she broke through the underbrush into a fairly large clearing where a troll was dangling a screaming girl by her feet. That girl can't be more than ten years old! Jordan thought.

Almost as soon as Jordan had drawn her sword, someone else broke through the brush. It was a boy, about her age holding a double edged sword. He rushed towards the troll, and Jordan followed suit.

She rushed into the scene with a war cry and slashed at the troll. The huge beast waved his hand at her but she rolled out of the way. When she got back onto her feet, she lifted her sword and dug it deep into the arm that was holding the girl. The girl dropped in a heap and looked content to lay there, but Jordan grabbed her arm and dragged her to the edge of the clearing.

Then she saw the boy. He seemed like a worthy opponent for herself, she thought. He had already damaged the hulk of the troll's body severely. The troll waved its arms around slowly in attempt to whack the boy to the ground, but he dodged it each and every time.

Taking no more time to stare, Jordan leapt back into action. She swung wildly at the troll's throat, hitting her mark. Her sword cut in deeply and a dark purple ooze penetrated from the wound. But it wasn't a killing stroke, not on a troll.

Pairing up with the boy, Jordan swung expertly while dodging the oversized hands. Then she took her chance. She knew she would have to rely on the strange boy, but it was necessary.

Jordan sliced her blade into the troll's foot, reaching all the way to the ground, pinning the troll where it stood. “Now!” she yelled at the boy. He somehow he knew exactly what she meant. He jumped high in the air and jammed his own sword into the troll's skull. Leaving it there, he jumped down to the ground. The giant troll swayed and moaned. Jordan turned her sword and when the beast finally fell, it sliced its foot open.

The boy strode over to the girl they'd both saved from the troll. He reached out a hand and said, “It's okay, Alina, You're safe.”

The small girl grabbed his hand and pulled herself up.

Jordan watched the scene, breathing heavily. She pulled her sword out of the ground and sheathed it.

The boy walked over to her. “So, you must have warrior's blood running in your veins to be able to fight like that.”

“Oh, that?” She said pointing a thumb in the direction of the dead troll. “That was nothing. You should see what I can do when I'm fighting a real person.” Every muscle in Jordan's body was tensed. If that boy was going to attack her, she'd rather be ready. But she still couldn't help but smile.

“So aren't you going to tell me what your name is?” He asked, smiling at her curiously.

“Well, maybe I will, maybe I won't. It's all up to you.” A smug grin creased her pretty features.

“If it makes any difference to you, I'm Martin. Welcome to Avaria Forest.”

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