Kaythren was hungry, tired, and cold. In the weeks since she arrived in Brierwood she had been moved by the example Of Eric and Julia. So much did she honor and respect them that she had decided to join the knighthood. The first part was dreary. Endless papers to sign. Then many tests of her physical and mental fitness. She had passed all of those. Many of the trials and the formalities were skipped thanks to the many letters of recommendation from both knights. But some could not be skipped like the patrol, she was on. The leader was a dwarf named sir Tymond. With them was a man who was her age who like her was on his trials. His name Was Richard Taylor. He was a skilled swordsman, not her equal, but he could hold his own in a fight. She smiled a bit knowing he stole glances at her when he thought she was not looking. And last a lad of 13 summers who was learning wood lore from those who were on the patrol He had little skill with the sword. Part of the duty was to keep him safe while training him. His Name Was Brian Ashford. A son of a rich noble. He was spoiled and a brat, but he was their duty to train him. The three were asleep, it was near dawn and Kayhren was on watch. She spent time making Breakfast for all. Boerewors a sausage dish Popular in her homeland. She sliced an onion and was preparing an onion relish. Suddenly she heard a snap of twigs rustle of leaves. Something was approaching the camp by the sound it was making it had to be large. She leapt to her feet and Kicked Sir Tymond the drawf awoke instantly. He did not have to ask, the sounds were close. "Wake the others lass". He ordered she kicked the other two awake. Richard Heard the noises and threw on a loincloth and a tunic he had gotten his sword out as she reached Brian. He awoke and began to loudly complain about being roused. "This better be important I was having a fine dream!" she looked at the boy "Be quiet or I WILL gag you! BOY!" she grabbed him out of his bedroll. No sooner than she did that when something large bounded into the camp it was six feet long on all fours it had deadly looking claws and a mouth filled with sharp teeth it had long, sharp horns on its head and a row of spikes ran down its back. The end of its tail also had spikes. It had a greenish Brown pelt. Sir Tymond shouted something in Dwarven. Kayhren knew it to be a curse. Then in common "HODAG!" the creature lowered its head and charged Kaythen and Brian. She saw it coming and threw the boy aside, taking the full brunt of the charge knocking her to the ground,she felt two ribs go, she began to violently cough up blood. As the Hodag slowed Richard leapt out striking it along the flank the pelt taking most of the blow. Sir Tymond stuck slightly after Richard his ax drew blood. It was wounded, but not badly. It reached the edge of the camp. It turned for a second pass. It went for Kayhren She could do little she prayed to Freyja. "Give me the strength to die well. So I may fight with my sister in Valhalla!" she staggered to her feet, she saw the wound, she was bleeding out. Her vision swam. She held her sword. Richard interceped the charging Hodag. He struck it fairly on the back. Sir Tymond raced to meet it, but it was moving quickly. It was injured now it had some intelligence. It left the camp moving quickly from its charge. It would lick its wounds and search for less aggressive prey. Kayhren staggered. She fell. Richard rushed to his bedroll. He pulled out a bottle. He ran to the dying woman. He forced a bit into her. Her eyes opened. She drank the rest the wound closed. She staggered to her bedroll she pulled out a second bottle like it. She drank. The last of the wound vanished. "The blue lady brings gifts and life, thank you." Richard looked down "I best find my trousers." he moved to his roll to dress. Meanwhile, Sir Tymond found the pan of Boerewors "Ahh lass a fine meal after a battle! Ye saved the lad's life! And Ye, Richard saved hers! I am recommending both of ye! Oh yes tie the lad up! And gag him as well! The brat will be dealt with by his father! Now let us eat and get back before that thing decides to come back!"
