Bailey the Great: the first kiss

Vespesh and Oprium have waged war against each other for a whole century. Seeking to bring its closure is Bailey the Great, the supreme commander of the Amazon Slayers. An elite unit of warriors.

They clashed against each other in the morning of Lasdas, the seventh day of the week. Swords began to rattle, ear-piercing screams echoed throughout the forest. Causing wanderers on the trails to look in the direction these horrifying sounds came from. The brave were on their guard and held tightly to the hilts of their weapons, while the feeble took safety by hiding behind their counterparts. 

Carefully, they listened to the melodious sounds of battle. A melody that quickly changed from rattling swords and screams to blades hammering steel. From the rootless wanderers` perspective, this was an act of violence hidden from plain sight. It was a wise decision not to walk past the trees and bushes grazing the hill in front of them. Because doing so would suck them into a century-old conflict between the two rivals, Vespesh and Oprium. 

Minutes passed, and the sound of swords pounding and hammering the steel were still present. Two battalions of lightly armed foot soldiers from Oprium had attempted to overrun the Vespesh forces. Little did they know that the men they stood face-to-face with were the fierce warriors of the Amazon Slayers. 

Oblivious to their fate, the infantry units continued in their efforts to crack through the shields. The Amazon Slayers had created a shatterproof defence. The shield wall created by the first lines prevented the enemy soldiers from preforming a successful frontal assault. Interlocking their shields on the sides stopped the invaders from triumphing with a flank manoeuvre. And a roof made up by shields from the warriors in the middle of the battalion made arrows useless. The Amazon Slayers had formed themselves into an impenetrable rectangle of steel shields. 

Pleased with the situation thus far was General Bailey Michael Cornish, the supreme commander of these combatants. A man who found himself quite different from the likes of his rank in the army. 

Overlooking the battle from the back of his warhorse, he held a black shield in one hand and a spear in the other " added with a sword sheathed in his scabbard. For protection, he wore plated greaves and gauntlets. Saving him from harm`s way even further was the Amazon Slayer`s standard issue cuirass, which was as dark as a lake at night. Hovering from the back of his shoulder plates because of the blowy wind was his signature cape. So reddish it resembled dried blood. Lastly, the military leader had a closed steel helmet concealing his head. 

As his steed carried him into combat, determined, Bailey raised his spear and shouted with all the loudness his voice could muster: 

- “Bring them their doom!” 

Eager and ruthless as they were, the Amazon Slayers followed his orders to the letter. Captain Fishman, one of Bailey`s most trusted companions led the counter attack. 

- “You heard him boys! Send `em straight to hell!” 

With their shields, the Amazon warriors pushed their opponents backwards. Then they exposed themselves and struck out their longswords. Instantly piercing the tummies of their rivals. 

Once the first line of Opriums fell, the barbarous warriors hid behind their shields once again. Doing the exact same to the second line, Fishman signalled, “push!” and the Amazons forced them back with their shields, bringing the killing blows shortly after. 

Slowly but surely, Bailey`s men worked themselves through the enemy ranks like worms digging through the soil. This event wasn`t a scene of war anymore, it was a scene of butchery. 

Popping up alongside the Oprium ranks was Baily whom with his horse, raced back and forth next to the dismaying soldiers. Thrusting and penetrating their armour, one after one fell to his spear. Either with their lungs punctured or their throats slit. Nonetheless, the Amazon Slayers had painted the otherwise green landscape into a red one of Oprium blood. 

Watching their fearless leader going on a killing spree, the fighters heightened swords and shields, cheering and advancing deeper into the carnage. Them swarming the enemy positions like a horde of wasps instantly turned the fight from a disciplined formation to an all-out brawl. Despite this, everyone stopped contributing to the bloodshed once a high-pitched shriek caught their attention.

Bailey had taken a fall, with his steed lying on top of his feet. Its eyes soulless, its body motionless, it prevented its master from freeing himself. Something the Opriums sought to exploit. It didn`t take long before someone greedy decided to give claiming the glory a try. 

Tramping across the grass, a soldier wearing a leather armour topped with a pitch-black mask came straight for him. Armed with a sword and a round wooden shield to boot, he wasted no time in keeping Bailey still by pressing the wooden circle down on his chest. 

The tip of the man`s sword only a millimetre away from entering his throat. Bailey looked his killer in the eyes. Shiny and hazel-green as they were, oddly, Bailey found them exceptionally beautiful. Even more puzzlingly, a sweet scent of strawberry and honey began drifting through his nasal channels. The kind of strawberry and honey scent that anyone can buy in bottles from the local perfume shops. 

“Drop the bloody weapon! You have nowhere to go!” Captain Fishman demanded, pointing a crossbow at the sole soldier.

Without words, the Oprium turned around, only to see his comrades withdrawing from the battlefield. They ran like panicked sheep fleeing from a pack of wolves. And Bailey finally understood the nature of his slayer. His eyes popped open as he noticed his killer had a bump on his chest. It wasn`t a breastplate, “no leather armour has a breastplate” he thought. Without a doubt, it was a woman`s bosom. 

Accepting the defeat, she spread out her fingers, allowing the sword and shield to slip out of her hands. Lacking the means to defend herself, the Amazon Slayers stormed her in order to defend their commander. While some held her by neck and shoulders, a couple of warriors lifted Bailey`s horse. “Thanks, my feet were starting to get numb,” Bailey explained as he pulled himself up from the grass. 

- “What a beautiful w***e! I didn`t know Oprium mothers raised their             daughters to be this gorgeous.” 

Bailey looked over his shoulder, the men had already removed the prisoner`s mask. And gagged her with it. “Now no one`s gonna hear ya scream.” The man`s smile was unpleasant. “That`s right.” Another added as he squeezed her breasts. A third joined and began stroking her between her thighs, which was enough to make Bailey lose his sanity. 

His eyes shining like a bonfire, the blood almost about to explode out of his forehead. Bailey drew his sword and pointed it at his men. “Hands off! She`s my prize!” 

Two of the men stepped away; one remained, still holding onto her. 

- “C`mon, use your head, soldier. Is risking your life for this woman                 really worth it?” 

Captain Fishman emerged from the crowd, chuckling, “he`s right, fighting Bailey one-on-one in a sword duel is a death sentence.” 

The man pushed her towards him, giving a snort of disgust, “fine, I hope she`ll kill you in your sleep!”

It wasn`t before later that morning in his tent Bailey got to see the prisoner`s face. Her hair light brown and wavy, her nose short and round like a potato. Her eyes, as on the battlefield, shiny and hazel-green. Her skin, light brown just like her hair. Her lips decked with black lipstick. As he sauntered over to her sitting on his bed, he was convinced that she was a creature sent from the divine of love.

Upon sitting down next to her, she embraced her mouth and closed her eyes. Tears rolled down from between the gaps of her eyelids. Which stopped when the delicious smell of apple reached her nostrils. Something warm started to embrace her thighs. A white cup of tea had found its place between her hips and knees.  

- “What is this?” " Her voice was low and gentle. 

- “I`ve made some apple tea, and it would be rude to drink it without              offering you some.” 

With eyes of confusion, she looked at the pillow on the other end of the bed.

- “But aren`t you supposed to? You know…” 

The military leader shook his head. 

- “No, I`m not.”

Her eyes started gleaming. 

- “But you said I`m your prize.” 

He waved his hand.

- “That was just a ruse, because if I didn`t claim you, they would`ve                 claimed you.” 

She grabbed the cup.

- “But why? I almost killed you back there. Actually, you should`ve                 wanted to bring me the greatest pain possible. By first taking my                 virginity and then putting my head on a spike. That`s probably the               worst a man can do to a woman.” 

Bailey clenched his hand, and showed a pair of fingers. 

- “Two reasons. Firstly, my parents taught me to respect women. Lastly,           true, you and I, we`re enemies. But my opinion on that matter is that           even enemies can show respect. You could`ve killed me back there,             taken me with you in your fall. But you chose not to. My life was in           your hands at that moment. And when the boys declared their                       affection towards you, your life was in my hands. So I repaid the                 favour.”  

A smile appeared on her face, and she reached out her hand, carefully stroking his cheek. 

- “Are you even real? I`m sorry, but it`s just, wow. I don`t understand              how someone can be so nice and forgiving towards their enemies.                Especially during times of war.”

Bailey smirked.

- “It`s not a big deal, not for my part. But there`s more work to be done,           you need to take off your uniform and let me rip your clothes.” 

She pulled her hand back. 

- “For what?” 

- “Because we want to make it look believable to the boys that I`ve                 used you. Or else, I could face some serious trouble.” 

She smiled even wider.

- “I have a better plan, that doesn`t need much work.”

- “Okay then, let`s hear it.”  

She leaned towards him, and shortly after, he felt the softness of her lips binding tightly against his. Not too long later, the smooch transformed into a hug. 

- “If you look yourself in the mirror, you`ll find your mouth bathing in             my lipstick. That should be enough to fool your men. The kiss in                 itself, though, consider it a personal thanks. The world needs more               men like you.” 

He embraced her tighter.

- “Thank you for your kindness, but I hope you understand, this doesn`t           change anything. You`re still my enemy in the morning.” 

Author's Note

I was challenged by a classmate to write and finish a short story over the course of four days during a long weekend just a couple of weeks ago. So cut me some slack, but still, feel free to point out anything. :) Though, some technical issues prevented me from me from making this text visually appealing, so my apologies for that.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I apologize up front becuz I'm just not a fan of anything centered around violence. We already have too much of that in our world day to day. I did read the first third or so & just wanted to applaud you for excellent writing construction, imaginative descriptions, nice balance of description, action, & dialogue, plus your writing style is consistent with this genre.

[Daniel-Andre]

Haha, you`re too kind! Too bad you`re against violence in writing, though. :p Because if you kept reading, the best part of this story would`ve been further down the road, at the end actually. A little plot twist if we can call it that? In any case, thanks for taking the time to read as far as you did. :) Writing is a subject of art, and art is a subject of taste. Which is something I have to respect. Still, you`re too kind, my writing style is consistent with this genre? Thank you, madame!

[barleygirl]

Your writing style is slightly formal & stilted sounding, with the use of complex words (but not to the point where it's loaded down & heavy to read) like the days of old, or the days of royalty & formality. It's quite a bit different than a more conversational sounding style, for example.

[Shannon]

Interesting story less about the glory or horror of war, but about the flawed nature of it and the real people.

There is some wordiness in places, that can trip up a reader. I have pulled a few examples:
- Causing wanderers on the trails to look in the direction of these horrifying sounds.
-
Minutes passed, the sounds of swords pounding and hammering the steel continued.

Also some word choices to reconsider :
she (embraced) her mouth
I hope (she`ll kill) you in your sleep!”
Amazon Slayers had painted the otherwise green landscape into a red one of Oprium blood.

It's an interesting take on a familiar theme.

[Daniel-Andre]

Thanks for the review, yeah, I`ve got a few word choices that need some attention. Especially the last one! Haha, in any case, thanks once again. I hope the read was worth it.

[Shannon]

Completely. Your writing enjoyable! I know you want to improve, that's why I was picking out the finer points.

[Daniel-Andre]

Precisely, improving is the key. Only the ignorant doesn`t see and accept their flaws, that`s why the ignorant never moves up in the world. Even Stephen King learns new things and improves, and the best part is that he admits it. Now, that`s exactly why I respect the man.