A Warrior's Bond, Part I

The curved steel blade sliced through the dokkalvar female's red dyed hair, severing the extended end of the long braid at the back of her head. Taking the cut hair in hand, she tied it to the pommel of the long straight sword lying on her crossed legs.

“There Tur'geis, now you'll have something to remember me by if I'm not there,” she said with a smile as she handed the sword back to the tall and mightily built male in front of her. The female Highland Raider looked straight at him with her fierce green eyes.

The red-cloaked male laughed boldly. “We're in the same squad, aren't we? I'd rather not have squad mates skipping out on me.” He handed over a curved sword to the female, a knotted strand of his own red dyed hair tied about its pommel. “And the same to you, Die'tra,” he added, his icy blue gaze meeting the female's.

Die'tra got to her feet and sheathed her sword, her bronze-toned Highland Raider armor clinking lightly as she did so. Tur'geis had also risen to his full height and replaced his sword in its scabbard, turning around to glance at the forest path behind them. The two had taken a brief respite from putting up camp to meet in private. Life being as it was among Highland Raiders, there was a very real possibility that either one of the two Am'saag could be reassigned to another squad elsewhere. Die'tra reached over to grab her commander's tight buttocks, grinning wildly as they made their way back to camp. She had come up with the idea of tying a lock of each other's hair to their swords in case they became separated.

Tur'geis couldn't help but chuckle at Die'tra's playful move. “Easy now, we're not in danger of being sent off away from each other just yet...” he chided humorously. Die'tra laughed. In all her time of being with the male Am'saag he typically used humor to side-step stressful situations, and now was no different.

“You know what I mean. I prefer to keep my mate by my side in battle. If we don't...” Die'tra's voice trailed off for a moment.

“I pray that that's not the case. You're as good as a sword-sister as any. When I die, I'd be honored to have you fighting at my side,” grunted Tur'geis.

“And I think so too, love,” replied Die'tra. She didn't fear death; there was no point in fearing that which you could not change. But she now was concerned over the prospect of dying without Tur'geis knowing. A good death for her would be not only to die sword in hand, but with her slain mate beside her on the battlefield. To die without her mate at her side would be rather unfortunate. She took a deep breath, thinking for a moment before directing her sharp green gaze back at her commander and lover. “Not even the goddesses could sever us. If I were dead and you were fighting for your life, I'd come back from Mag'mell to fight by your side!”

The fire in Tur'geis' blue eyes was unmistakable as he took her chin in his hand, bringing them together for a kiss. No further words were necessary. Their eyes met again as they reluctantly broke off the kiss. The Marauders and the rest of the Highland Raiders there had duties to attend to for the remainder of the day, but later there would be ample time for the two to show their love for each other over a draught of ale. Or two, or more.