Captain Aria

Song of the swords

Photo by Sage Studios

In a different world and time, humans and elves coexist, while troubadours sing in praise of female warriors’ triumphs.

In the heart of a thick and ancient forest, where the mist hung like a shroud, two formidable women warriors stood facing each other.

“You have been chosen by your companions to settle the boundary dispute between Lithilorn and Elenathar with swords. Captain Aria, your company has overwhelmingly voted to maintain the current boundaries with Lithilorn. Captain Lyra, your company voted to expand Lithilorn by controlling some of Elenathar’s land and peoples,” said Queen Guiniva as she raised her right arm in the air.

“Your battle will begin!” The queen said as she brought her hand down.

She, the group of women warriors, and elven escorts stood around a clearing where the trees had formed a natural ring about 10 meters wide.

As the chosen warriors raised their swords, droplets of water from the mist slid down the blades. The charged atmosphere crackled with tension as they circled one another, their gazes locked in steely determination.

Aria, with the eyes of a seasoned warrior, exuded confidence and skill, her movements as sharp as the blade she wielded.

The other warrior, Lyra, was a mysterious fighter rumored to possess dark magic, her every move infused with an otherworldly grace that hinted at the power she commanded.

Their rivalry burned like an unquenchable fire. It had been that way since they met at the training academy.

The clash of their swords and their grunts reverberated through the forest, a symphony of metal meeting metal, their grunts acting as counterpoint to their strikes as they engaged in a fierce dance of combat.

Aria’s strikes were precise and calculated, each movement executed with deadly accuracy. However, she struggled to keep up with the enigmatic and unpredictable movements of her opponent. Despite her skill, she felt the weight of the enchanted sword’s power bearing down on her, its dark aura enveloping Lyra as she fought.

In an unexpected twist, Lyra disarmed Aria, sending her sword flying to embed itself in the soft earth under a nearby tree.

Aria, bracing herself for the final blow, saw a flicker of doubt cross Lyra’s face, a moment of vulnerability.

With a forward lunge, Aria wrested the enchanted sword from Lyra’s hand, feeling its heft and dark magic course through her as she held it aloft. Her eyes blazed with a fierce light.

In a swift and decisive motion, Aria brought the sword down, its metallic song slicing through the air as it found its mark.

Lyra, her eyes widening in shock, realized the betrayal of the dark magic that had once empowered her. With a shuddering breath, she fell to the forest floor, her body lifeless.

Aria stood panting over her fallen rival, the enchanted sword still clutched in her hand.

At that moment, the mist lifted and beams of sunlight illuminated the clearing, with glistening motes casting an ethereal glow over the scene.

A mix of jubilation and sorrow flickered in Aria’s eyes as she gazed upon Lyra’s lifeless form.

“You have triumphed.” Maira, her second, said as she moved into the clearing.

Captain Lyra’s company turned and walked away into the forest, muttering.

“It was rigged,” said some as they left.

Other women warriors and their elven escorts started forward, but parted as Queen Guiniva and her retinue of elven guards made their way to Aria.

“My queen,” Aria said, taking a knee and holding the enchanted sword tip down, by the hilt with her right hand as the queen approached.

“Arise, Captain Aria. You have proved yourself and won the dispute. My proclamation of the boundary will include your victory. Celebrate this day and I will see you at court in two days.”

Then Queen Guiniva and her retinue turned and left the clearing.

Aria crouched, released the sword, laying it on the ground with difficulty. Even after standing, she felt her hands and arms tingle from the magic.

She rubbed her hands and arms as she turned and addressed Aurielindë, her elven escort.

“We must bind the magic and bury the sword forever.”

“As you wish. In the mystical realm of elvish enchantments, where light and darkness dance in an eternal struggle, I shall craft an incantation to bind the dark magic to the sword forever, bury it miles below the earth’s surface, and seal its malevolent power,” Aurielindë said.

She turned, her gaze sweeping through the company. “You must all step behind the trees.”

Everyone moved out of the clearing as Aurielindë stood near the sword, raised her hands and whispered words that flowed like a soft breeze through the trees.

By the light of the stars,
Forged in fires of kings,
Guarded by the forest spirits,
Sleep deep beneath the earth.

Eternal guardians,
Celestial protectors,
Darkness fades away.
Hope of the elves shine.

Dark blade of destiny.
Enchanted in evil,
Eternal protectors,
Sleep deep beneath the earth.

May this incantation bind the dark magic to the sword forever, preserving its malevolent power within the depths of the earth’s embrace, where it shall rest buried miles below, safeguarded by the ancient spirits of elvish lore.

While Aurielindë whispered her incantation, the sword glowed and sank into the earth. The leaves stirred as the incantation finished, and the sword disappeared.

Aria, Maira, and the rest stepped once more into the clearing as sunlight faded and mist again crept through the trees.

Aurielindë turned to face the warriors and their escorts.

Aria moved forward and grabbed Aurielindë’s hand, bringing it to her lips.

“Thank you, Aurielindë. Now,” she said as she smiled and turned to face her company, “Let’s dig Lyra’s grave. We’ll setup camp near the river and drink our thanks to the goddess.”

As the warriors and elves left the clearing, echoes of the intense and fateful clash between Aria and Lyra would forever linger in the forest and haunt Aria all her days.

No one saw the mote-sized fairy queen and her court glide into the clearing as sunbeams again parted the mist.

Author’s Note

This is a straightforward fantasy that I wrote long ago inspired, of course, by the Lord of the Rings books. I updated and added sentences here and there, but my story is mostly intact from years ago. Look for another short story with some of these characters that I need to revise before posting.

Upcoming…

• Flash fiction in less than 600 words:

  Embers, 13 July 2024

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