The day felt warm and the clouds were white and fluffy. The calm wind gently blew over the fields in front of Meiora rustling both the wheat and her clothing. She sighed as she leaned against the wall behind her, her spear tapping the stone lightly as she did so. The cold stone felt good on her back and she resisted the urge to sigh again. Sitting on top of a giant watchtower that sat in the middle of a castle, Meiora had an incredible view. A view sadly marred by the approaching army, a large one perhaps one-hundred-thousand strong.

 The footmen in front marched in pitch-black metal armor, holding large pikes in their right arms and shields in their left. The archers were behind them, there wasn’t anything special about them. Their armor was of black leather, probably dyed that color rather than from any specific beast, and they had standard bows. They also had a small regiment of cavalry. Though they probably wouldn’t get much action in a siege, they were most likely sent as a counter to any potential cavalry raids. After that trundled the siege equipment. Towers, catapults, and ladders mostly.

 They had large boxes covered in cloth, curious that. She could even make out several mages riding horses. In the end, however, it mattered little. Unless Uruk showed up the battle’s outcome had already been set.

 The Bealtic Empire wanted this small castle, though she couldn’t see why. It’s stationed in the middle of nowhere while the main battle line only began over one-hundred miles to the north-west. It would net them practically nothing. Though perhaps that’s why Volisgarde didn’t want to bother defending it, it wasn’t important. Unless the Bealtic Empire knew something? But she doubted it, the lord’s family has been living here for generations going back at least four-hundred-years. And while not obscenely wealthy for a Count, the family was still one of means.

 Either way, she had been hired by the lord of the land to protect his holdings and Meiora couldn’t help but feel a bit of excitement. She never got hired for things like this, her price too expensive for most. But the lord, one Count Malindor had paid her in full and upfront. She couldn’t help but appreciate the man’s decisiveness. Once he realized that the Volisgarde Army wouldn’t be doing more than providing token support, he immediately began preparations to defend it himself. He had hired many ex-military commanders who had advised him to either give up or go big.

 He went big. Her family had a reputation, you see. One of complete uncontested victory. Once hired they never lost. Not in their over seven-hundred-year history. This job was her first time being hired though. Her capabilities were a complete match for this setup and she had proven herself to her family that she could be trusted. That trust did not come easily.

 Meiora of the Songheart family hefted her spear and stood. Her shoulder-length golden hair billowing in the wind. She leaped into the air and down over the small castle town. Landing on the outer wall like a ghost, her impact near silent. “I’m heading out now,” she said to the guard captain.

 “Alright. May Calnit watch over you,” He said to her nodding, completely used to her antics. She grumbled at that, how had the man already gotten used to her? She’d been here for barely a week!

 With that she took off, flying through the air. Racing towards the incoming army Meiora let herself smile. She was going to enjoy this, however short it may be. The army saw her approach and their march came to a halt at the sound of several horns. Standing in the air nearly half a mile ahead of the army and nearly two-hundred feet in the air, she saw their ranks rustling. Anxious, unsure of what to do. In the back, she could see the mages begin moving up towards the commanding officer. He sat on a giant white horse in the middle of the cavalry speaking to an aide.

 His attention was focused on her, she saw the lack of recognition in his eyes. Well, this was her debut after all. After today she doubted this would happen again. The mages made it to him in record time only to begin speaking at a rapid pace. The officer frowned and looked at her again. Giving her a searching look for a few seconds before barking orders.

 “Well enough of that,” Meiora mumbled to herself as she finished her observations. She cleared her throat and yelled out, her voice booming across the hilly landscape. “I am Meiora Songheart and today shall be your last! Pray to whatever god you worship, for you shall be meeting them soon.”

 With that, she began spinning her spear, which started to rapidly accumulate water. More and more water began forming around her spear and within seconds she had enough to fill a lake. With practiced ease, she evaded the spells that began flying towards her. Ignoring the fact that the army began to move and that several small wyvern riders had appeared from the cloth-covered cages and taken off. She kept spinning her spear and soon the time to dance had arrived. The waves rolled off of her as she weaved her spear and they proceeded to slam into the army with an incredible crash. The footmen were helpless, several hundred tons of water crushed their bodies, and those lucky enough or powerful enough to survive realized that she had just begun.

The waves crashed into each other again and again, soon only the mages who could fly and the wyvern riders were left. They began to flee once they saw what she had wrecked upon them. It had taken only a handful of minutes but the battle had ended. The waters calmed and began to settle. The pulp of metal and flesh soon settled out as the waters drained away. The land damp but other than the damage done to the landscape there was no sign of the waves.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Meiora pointed her spear towards the fleeing mages and a ray of water shot out, casually she moved her spear horizontally. Then that too faded and in the distance, she could see the mages sliced in two. She left only the wyvern riders alive, they weren’t worth as much compared to mages in the Bealtic Army.

Flying back towards the castle she couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed that it had ended so quickly. She would have much preferred a long drawn out battle against someone whom she could test her mettle. But people of that caliber couldn’t be found so easily and when they could, they didn’t want to destroy the surrounding area just to appease a whim.

The captain nodded to her as she flew past and soon she found herself at a balcony inside the castle. “Absolutely incredible Ms. Songheart,” Count Marindor began as soon as she landed. “Not even a scratch on you. Well worth the money. I don’t believe the Bealtic will send such a force here again!”

“Indeed Count Marindor, but if they do decide to do so. Please, feel free to contact us. I would be more than happy to assist you if such a time comes,” Meiora declared.

 “Haha! Indeed I would most definitely have to call upon the Songheart family once more if that were to be the case. But please, do not so casually wish ill upon my family,” the Count said with an air of affability.

 “It was said in jest. I apologize if I gave offense,” she replied calmly.

“No offense taken my dear,” Marindor replied this time with a slight smile on his face. Meiora couldn’t help but observe the man’s aura. As always it appeared calm but firm, he was an aging man but must have been quite the fighter in his prime. She’d never seen an aura quite like his before, it felt like a river but not turbulent. There wasn’t an undercurrent that threatened to pull you under. But while steady it didn’t quite feel like a rock either. He was flexible but when met with force he would be firm. An interesting aura.

“Well then, Count Marindor. I will be retiring to my room for the night. I will depart at first light, there is no need to prepare breakfast for me. I am required to make haste back to my family estate to give my report,” Meiora stated before exiting the room.

The castle while large was trivial for a woman of her ability to navigate. They had given her a large room filled with a gigantic bed, plush furniture, and one of the softest carpets she’d ever felt. The paintings on the walls were nice she supposed though she couldn’t say she cared much for art. However, the view from the window looked quite breathtaking. The Tarn Mountains stood in all their glory, even in such a small section of it. Their huge rocky peaks jutted through the clouds and she could spot several flying creatures all over them.

This place would be beautiful in the autumn she mused. Imagine the leaves on the mountains changing colors. It would be a sight to behold. The day had nearly ended and she needed to write a report tonight. She sighed, reports were always the worst part of an assignment.

 Early in the morning, as the sun began casting its first rays over the horizon, Meiora was already up and nearly ready to leave when she heard a knock at the door. Opening it she found herself before the guard captain. “Eric, it is early and I leave soon. What is it?” she asked while trying not to sigh. He merely shook his head, it wasn’t covered in a helmet this early and his shaggy brown hair bobbed with the action.

 “I just wanted to give you this. I hope you have a saf-... er well easy trip. It is more likely that whatever is near you is in more danger.” He said with a laugh. He handed her a letter but she merely glanced at it before pocketing it.

 “I’ll read it later when I arrive at my family estate. I hope you don’t mind. I’m in a bit of a rush,” She said with relief visible on her face.

 “Don’t sweat it, read it when you get a chance. Take care, Mei,” Eric said while smiling at her and walked away.

 Meiora nearly grimaced. I hope he doesn’t get his hopes up. It was just a fling. She would still read the letter, she had a good week with Eric and he was a nice man. Just too weak for it to ultimately work out. Ensuring she had everything she buckled on her backpack then proceeded to the nearest balcony and flew off.

She started at a slow pace at first but as the last farmhouse passed out of view, she took off like a verstag drake looking for a battle. The air cracked and boomed in front of her as she increased her speed. The nearby flyers scattered in fear. The booming got old after a while. It was annoying enough that she cast a spell to silence it. Bringing blissful quiet back.

The next hour and a half went as Eric predicted. Nothing was willing to challenge something going around eight-hundred miles per hour. She slowed her speed and within moments she passed through the barrier protecting her family home. The mansion popped into view now that she had passed through and she spotted her father sitting in the garden drinking tea.

Meiora landed next to her father. After dropping her bags she sat down and began preparing herself some tea. “Welcome back Mei, how did the job go?” Her father enquired while continuing to sip his tea.

 “It went well, father. The contractor was pleased with the job,” she replied as she finished putting honey in her cup.

 “That is good, did you have any difficulties?” he asked.

 “No father, there were no difficulties in the battle or the preparations leading up to the battle,” she stated.

 “I see. You are avoiding answering me but as long as the job was fulfilled and the contractor was satisfied it matters little. Tell me, is this something I should know about?” he questioned while staring her in the eye.

 “No father,” she nearly gulped.

“Good. Then enjoy your tea and place your report on my desk after you leave,” her father responded.

When she finally made it back to her room, now freshly bathed and having eaten. She opened the letter Eric had written to her. Dreading what could be written within she decided to just get it over with. Moments after opening it she merely stared at it, dumbfounded. Bursting out into laughter she reread the letter. It just had one line:

 “Worried ya didn’t I?”