Young Writers Society

An enthusiastic young lady stood on a grassy knoll over looking some training fields. She shivered in excitement and glanced over at her companion, her emerald green eyes wide as she continued to look around. “Is this truly happening? Am I truly going to train at this place Willard?” she said, shifting from foot to foot anxiously. Willard chuckled at his youngest sister’s enthusiasm.

“Yes sister, its true. Welcome to the Warrior Preparation Encampment. Here you will be trained, and taught the ways of a warrior. If you survive this, you can continue on to more serious, and harder training courses,” he said formally. His hand resting on the hilt of his sword proudly, as he watched his sister closely. She had stopped shifting and stood still, taking in the sight of the encampment, her face was set in determination. She was tall for her age, and her body was toned from the exercises he had taught her. His sister glanced at him and grinned, hopping a bit towards the edge of the hill. He chuckled and nodded slowly.

The two of them headed down the slippery hill carefully. Willard pointed out the various training grounds that were visible as they went along. The archery fields, a blacksmith, a tanner, the stables, and so on. She absorbed it all, growing more excited as they neared the bottom of the hill. She noticed a large, flat piece of ground was fenced in and inquired about it. He explained that if one so chose to, one could learn to ride and become a mounted warrior. Few could afford it though, and finally they reached the bottom of the hill. He led his sister over to a large, solid looking wooden building. Willard turned to his sister and pointed to a wooden bench, “Sit there. Do not move. I have to go finish some things up. I won’t be long, okay?”

The girl nodded and went over, sitting down on the bench. Willard eyed her cautiously and headed inside the building. The girl sighed and crossed her arms over her chest, leaning back against the wall, staring up at the sky. “Oy, lookie there mates. A new lassie has come to join us.” She sat up quickly and looked for the source of the taunting voice. A group of young men appeared a few feet in front of her. They smirked and looked upon the poor girl. “I don’t know if this little one can hold up. Hey, lass, what’s ye name?” the voice came from the tall, handsome young man at the front of the group.

The man held the ease and confidence of someone who wasn’t defied often. His ruddy red coloured hair was cropped short. His eyes were a piercing green that rivalled the new girls own. The lass looked up at the young man and raised an eyebrow slightly, “I’m sorry, were you talking to me?” she replied lightly, glancing at the other men in the group. Most were solid in stature, and held the looks of someone who spent a lot of time outside, no matter what the weather.

The speaker glowered at her and stepped closer, “I was, girl, and I would prefer an answer instead of your sass,” he growled quietly in his deep voice. The girl stood up and glared up into the man’s eyes.

Even though she barely stood as high as his shoulder, she seemed taller as she moved a bit closer to the young man. Her balled hands placed firmly on her hips, “Well, that’s too bad. I won’t give you an answer until you change your attitude,” she retorted. Much to her surprise, the young man burst into a melodious laugh. The group laughed as well, moving closer to the two people, surrounding them a bit.

“Aye, I suppose I do need to change my attitude a bit. What do you lads think?” the first man grinned and looked around at his friends. A few shook their heads as the man turned his attention back to the girl. He held out his hand as he smiled, “The names Ismael.” The girl looked at him cautiously, and reached out her hand. At that moment, Willard came back outside and looked at the group.

“Isabel, what have you done now?” Willard inquired as Isabel pulled back her hand and walked over to her brother quickly. She stood beside him as Willard glanced at the group. “I’m sure these trainees have better stuff to do then just hang around,” he told Isabel, loud enough for the young men to hear.

Ismael nodded his head at Willard and smiled at Isabel, “Nice to meet you, Isabel.” He turned and headed off down the dusty path. The group followed him, glancing back at Willard and Isabel. The group disappeared around the corner as Willard looked at his sister curiously.

She looked back and shrugged, “They were introducing themselves to me.” Willard sighed and shook his head slowly. He took Isabel by the arm and led her down a small cobbled pathway. The path took them to a small building surrounded by an overgrown garden. The building was one level with a few doors leading inside.

It was a dismal place, but Isabel looked at it eagerly. Willard took her too the farthest door to the right, and took out a key. Unlocking the door he pushed it open, revealing a large, well furnished room. Sunlight streamed in from the windows on the far wall. The bed was made and Isabel’s trunks were stored against the wall. Willard looked at her and hugged her tightly, “Good luck little sister…”

Isabel returned his hug and held on, then pulled away. “I hope I don’t let you down,” she whispered quietly. She looked around the room and then back at her brother.

Willard chuckled and shook his head. “You won’t, you never do,” he replied, kissing her forehead before turning away and heading out the door into the sunlight. Isabel closed the door and lay across her bed. She was thinking about what she had got herself into when a loud rap on the door interrupted her thoughts.

(heh, haven't worked on this much. This is all I've got down so far but I'm hesitant on writing more of it..)