Haelyn;
In the barren desert, any day that the sun was not covered by wispy clouds was another day of living Hell.
The small knight crouched in the withered undergrowth just outside of the armory, her bow and arrow in her hands, drawn and ready to release the deadly arrow. She had been stuck in the same position for hours, it seemed, so her muscles ached faintly from cramps and dehydration. But the knight had learned to ignore the pain long ago; it was the thirst burning at her throat that occupied her time.
The inside of her mouth was completely devoid of any moisture. Despite her obvious need for water, her body stubbornly perspired in the hot sun, determined to cool her off even if it meant wasting precious droplets of the liquid. Sweat dripped from her nose, soaked the thin clothing that she wore beneath her armor, plastered her silvery hair to her forehead.
No, today was not the best day she had ever had.
/Focus, Haeylen,/ the girl told herself. /Focus, for soon it shall be time to carry out what you came here for???/
But still dehydration and exhaustion plagued Haelyn???s mind. If only she had forced herself to sleep for another hour last night! If only she had not dropped her water gourd back at the camp! But it was too late now, too late for everything.
Pale lids closed over golden eyes. /Soon,/ the knight told herself. Soon she would have the opportunity to give the king a taste of his own medicine! Oh, how she loathed him now. Only a month ago she would have laughed at the notion of hatred, having served him loyally for years. But now, there was only room in her heart for hatred. After all, when the king had burned down her village, he had burned down any sense of patriotism in her heart.
Haelyn licked her chapped lips, praying to the gods above that the mission would be a success. Just in case her arrows ran out (she had time to make only fifteen) then she had the narrow sword at her hip and several daggers concealed upon her person. If she was captured, then she would go down fighting.
A faint smile flickered on her pale lips before her face lapsed back into the emotionless state it usually was in.
Revenge was a prospect that was desirable for her, after all.