My Wip: The Wolf and King

Hello. as promised here is another taste of my Wip. well that sounds bad outloud…

anyway here is a section that I may include in the book, following two support characters. hope you enjoy!

---

The arrow and shield

“-but I will follow my own road until my time is done” Bengie sang as they road into the town. Finishing with a high note and a drink of wine.

“Yes very good, now for the love of the gods stop singing!” Sam said when she could get a word edge wise.

A day’s ride from the palace and he hadn’t stopped since, It wasn’t because the drunken archer annoyed her. Actually it was because he annoyed her, her and anyone around, but today it was because she needed to be intimidating and not accompanied by a drunk no matter how good his skill is.

They had protected the king for years now and although no one could best the king’s shield. Even though she wears the armour and bears the shield she knew she was underestimated. Especially here, old town they called it. And it was old, even the people were old in their ways.

“Oh come on Sam.” He replied “you need to lighten up” he hung his wine skin on his belt among a quiver of arrows. Sam always found it strange that he wore his arrows there rather than his back, but it didn’t hinder his abilities.

He ran his hand through his mass of black hair. In the sunlight his skin almost looked like coffee.

“Besides” he continued, as he does, “The gaurds love my singing. Don’t you lads?” their escorts, three city guards in steel armour, mumbled in agreement, obviously hating his singing voice as much as she did. “See?”

“And I thought you had keen eyes”

“That I do”

Inside the town their first stop was the inn. But not for beds and food but answers.

“Remind me again why we always go to the pubs and inns?” Sam asked as they pulled the horses into the staple.

“Inns means drink, drink means people. And we need to ask people”

“Not to refill your wine skin again?”

“Well there are extra perks and why not? Unless you’re scared to enter?”

“Spider eggs” she replied

“Oh come on that was one time!”

“Still holds”

“Who smuggles spider eggs on a ship anyway?”

“I just never knew you could scream so loud” she chuckled “that and the king had better sleep than you did”

Bengie was about to retort but was cut off as one of the younger guards jumped off his horse and ran to Sam.

“Would you like a hand my lady?”

“And he was doing so well” Bengie chuckled.

Sam did what any respectable “lady” did when dressed in full plate armour. She hit him in the face with her shield and watch as he fell into the hay pile.

After climbing off the horses she instructed her men to stay with the horses, Bengie and Sam entered the inn.

It was busy today. Everyone from farmers to mercenaries drank here. Sam donned her helmet, her blond hair still visible on her back. Her shield was already in hand and her sword hung on her belt. Bengie however looked quite comfortable; in fact he strolled right over to the bar and ordered some cheap wine. Still he drew some looks.

Sam took a breath and banged on a table to get everyone’s attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please.”

The crowed quietened down a bit.

“People of old town!” she called more forcefully. Now everyone in the inn looked at her.

“As you have heard by now, the lord of old town, Sir Malcolm, has made an attempt on the king’s life. We are here to gather information on his where bout’s. Any information will be rewarded and any involvement will be pardoned by the king if you come forth now!”

“And why should we listen to you” the crowed was shocked as they stared at a man in black leather armour. “I mean you can’t expect people to go against their lord now can you.” He started to clean his nails with a knife. Clearly trying to be intimidating.

“Maybe because the title king outranks that of lord?” Bengie said playfully. His back still turned on him.

“Right” the mercenary replied. As he stood up, more mercenaries came forward. “And the king thinks its ok then, to send a foreigner and a girl.” He started to laugh. People started to slowly sneak out of the inn.

“If you have something to say, say it” Sam hissed.

“Ok” the mercenary walked toward her “how about this. The king is weak, Malcolm is strong, Malcolm tried to exterminate the dogs, and Alistair welcomed them.”

“I think the correct term is Wolfling. As for me I am sure I have earned my way into the country.”

The Mercenary decided to be a fool and threw his knife.

Sam wasn’t sure how Bengie saw it with his back turned but he ducked as the knife flew over him. Then while turning he unslung his bow. Notched an arrow and in seconds sent it flying into the man’s shoulder.

Sam was the next to be attacked. A mercenary threw an axe at her but her shield was faster, blocking the blow. Drawing her sword she charged.

The town’s folk panicked and ran, leaving a large group of mercenaries to contend with. Sam smashed her shield into the face of one while parrying the sword of another.

Bengie jumped on tables and counters drawing three arrows at a time and sending them flying one by one.

Sam blocked an axe with her sword and smashed her shield into the attacker’s throat. Ducking under a long sword and driving her sword into the owners gut.

Bengie kicked a man in the face while firing an arrow into a knee. “No more adventuring for you buddy.”

An archer ran into the room and loosed an arrow at Bengie. Bengie somehow caught the arrow and sent it right back into his throat. “I remember when this was difficult” he complained.

Sam had locked swords with a large brute. “Not me” with a grunt she pushed the brute followed by a jab to the throat with her shield. “In fact it’s always seemed too easy”.

Bengie dropped to the floor in time to dodge another blade; he sprang up and stabbed the attacked with a spare arrow.

Sam spun round to face the last attacker. Bengie spun and drew an arrow. Before they attacked they froze. Realising that they were about to attack each other.

“Well… that was fun” Bengie said panting.

“I could have killed you, you know.”

“Hmm. Doubtful.”

The guards outside rushed in as they both collapsed into chairs. Bengie handing a skin of wine to Sam. The guards started checking the unconscious and dead men.

“So” Bengie clapped his hands together. “Where the fuck have you been?”

“gah.” The first mercenary was stirring, arrow still in his shoulder.

“That reminds me… arrest that man for…” Sam’s breath was laboured.

“… Treason? Treason has a nice ring to it” Bengie offered.

“Yeah. Take him in for questioning.”

---

This is definitely not the final result of a scene and it may be cut out completely but I thought it was a good scene to play around with the characters.

For a little bit of context Sam is the King’s shield, responsible for his personal protection and commander of his guards. Bengie is a foreigner from the southern lands (I like to think of him as a Spaniard if I had a Spain in this world) he impressed the king in the past and became one of his protectors alongside Sam.

Although this is a work in progress feel free to give any feedback, it would only help me.

Thanks for reading!