Ladybug

    Wryn was running alone through the forest outside the town walls.  Technically this was forbidden since she had escaped her chaperones and outside of the walls there was no protection from the dangers of the forest but she didn’t care.  Outside of the walls was where she could find the best plants and the bugs that lived with them!  Today Wryn was chasing ladybugs.  She had found a large colony of ladybugs out by a large colony of ants.  As fascinating as the colonies were to watch, the few bugs that went their own way were more interesting.  Such was the case with Wryn’s latest friend.  She had almost caught up and was going to introduce herself when a rock caught the ladybug in midflight and squished it up against the town wall.  Wryn whipped around, “How could you!  It was just a ladybug!”

    The two noble’s sons from the visiting towns laughed.  “Why are you getting so upset little, Runt?”  Bron teased as he leaned against the trunk of a tree.  “Don’t you know bugs are fun to squash?”

    “That doesn’t make it right,” Wryn said as she put her hands on her hips. “Bugs are helpful and …”

    “You mean bugs are helpful to tease girls!” Derver laughed.

    “No, I mean…” started Wryn.

    “Who cares what you mean?” Bron said crossing his arms.  “You’re just a girl and you’re younger than us.”

    “It’s not just me!  My spirit Darra says bugs are good, too.  You should care,”  Wryn said.

    “Oooh!  ‘Darra says’,” began Derver, “You’re lucky we do care.  We care a lot that you bonded your spirit before us.”

    “Yeah.  You made us look weak and dumb to the other noble families.  You should pay for that,” Bron threatened.

    “You can’t hurt me!  We’re on my family’s land,” insisted Wryn.

    “Look again, Runt.  We’re outside the town walls.  Anything goes,” Bron stated.  “What should we do to her?”

    “Rub bug guts on her and cut her hair short!” exclaimed Derver.  “Maybe then she won’t glow as much!”

    “Perfect,” agreed Bron as he pulled out his small dagger.  He started towards the rock to get the dead ladybug from it.

    “No, don’t!” shouted Wryn.  Her hair started to glow more as she began to back away. 

    “Hold her still, Derver,” Bron commanded.  Wryn shifted the grass under their feet and caused both Bron and Derver to loose their balance.  With that head start she ran away into the woods  “She’s shaming us again!  Don’t just stand there, Dolt.  Get her!”

    As she dodged through the trees her foot suddenly caught on a hidden tree root.  Wryn plunged down a small hill and came to a stop at the trunk of another tree knocking the breath out of her.

    “Nowhere left to run, Runt.  That stunt with the grass will cost you,” Bron snarled as he reached the top of the hill.

    “You just dug a deeper hole!” Derver interrupted.

    “I’m thinking we shave her now,” Bron said as he and Derver slid down the hill towards Wryn.  Just as they reached the bottom a rustling was heard in the tree above them.  A young Kryoneel in torn, too-short clothes landed in-between Wryn and the boys.  He pointed the broken branch he was holding at the two boys.

    “Stay back,” said the stranger.

    “No way!  Just who do you think you are to order us around?” Derver sneered.

    “Someone with better manners,” retorted the newcomer.  “Doncha know it ain’t nice ta gang up on a girl?”

    “Whatever.  Now that the teams are even I’m sure you won’t mind if we take you out first,” Bron challenged.  With that the bullies charged the young boy.  Quickly dodging, the boy got behind Derver and whacked him in the back of the knees.  Before Derver could get back up the newcomer bumped him hard on the head with the branch and turned to Bron.  Bron was already there and caught the branch midway with his dagger.  The branch was quickly being hacked to bits as Bron pushed the stranger back.  Throwing the broken bits of his branch at him, the boy caused Bron to flinch. Seizing the opportunity the newcomer punched both his fists at Bron’s now-exposed middle.  Bron dropped the dagger and staggered back with a grunt tripping over another tree root.  

    “Run. Now,” the victorious Kryoneel said as he picked up the dagger and pointed it at Bron’s chest. 

    Bron scowled and helped a dizzy Derver to find his feet.  “We’ll make sure *huff* you pay *wheeze* for that, peasant!” he coughed as they stumbled away.

    “Ya okay?” the newcomer asked Wryn as he jabbed the dagger into the soft dirt and covered it up.

    “Yes,” she panted.  “Where did you come from?”

    “S’up in the trees by the wall takin’ a nap when yar shoutin’ waked me up.  Ya really oughta be careful.  Outside the wall is dangerous.  An boys like that ain’t nice ta no one.  Ya seem kinda small ta pick a fight with them.  Sorry ‘bout ya ladybug.”

    “Thanks for helping me,” Wryn said.  “What’s your name?”

    “Kern,” the newcomer answered as he helped Wryn to her feet.  “Imma walk ya back ta the town wall so ya don’t get squished, Ladybug.”

    “I have a name.  It’s Wryn,” she said flipping her braids over her shoulder.

    “Sorry, Wryn.  I din’t know soes I made one up,” Kern explained.

    “Oh.  Well, it’s okay,” Wryn answered.  “You should just ask next time, is all.  There will be a next time, right?  It would be good to have a nice friend for once.  ” 

    “Sure,” Kern said.  “But ain’t ya a noble?  That kinda makes a difference don’t it?”

    “Maybe.  It can’t be that bad, though.  I’m sure my parents will understand!” Wryn said bouncing up to the wall’s edge.

    “If ya say so,” Kern said smiling as he caught up to Wryn. “Jist don’t forgit ta be careful.  Ladybugs is cute but ain’t built fer fightin’ much.”

    “I’ll try,” Wryn said climbing up the ivy-covered wall with a little help from Darra.  “See you later, Kern!”