Gwendolyn: A Chance at Glory
The afternoon sun cast its golden rays upon the bustling docks of Giask, where Lady Gwendolyn Briarwood, dressed in black stained and hardened leather armour adorned with the Briarwood Crest, stood with her unit of twenty-one men, the Briarwood Blackshields. They were gathered on a sturdy ship made of polished cedar, aptly named "The Veil of Briar," readying to set sail on a perilous voyage to Tomb Island to the region of Quebel.
Beside Lady Gwendolyn stood the young ship captain, Thomas, who worked under her father, Elias Briarwood. His eyes darted nervously as he glanced at the Blackshields and then back to Lady Gwendolyn, who wore her long black hair tied in a braid, her piercing sapphire eyes seemingly devoid of any emotion as she watched the horizon.
"Ah, lass," Thomas hesitated, "perhaps it would be wise tae wait fer yer household guard tae be better prepared. They lack experience, still wet behind the ears these lads are, green as grass, and the Tomb Island is nae place fer the unseasoned."
Gwendolyn's voice remained flat and emotionless as she replied, "Thy concern is unnecessary. We depart at eventide."
Thomas spluttered at the retort, "That's...but, my lady. I—"
Gwendolyn interrupted him with cold words, "When the army currently south returns to celebrate their victory and glory after having fought and bled for weeks, I shall not stand amongst them with an unscarred body and a pristine blade."
Thomas looked at her with concern and said, "You know, lass, ye hardly seem dressed to face the monsters of Quebel yerself."
"I said I require no further concern, Captain," Gwendolyn interrupted him, her gaze unyielding. "Ready the ship."
She descended from the ship, her footsteps echoing on the wooden planks of the dock. Gwendolyn began helping her unit and the sailors load supplies onto the ship, her words sharp as she addressed her men and the crew, "Inefficient. Disappointing."
Her unit hurried to keep up, embarrassment evident in their eyes as they worked diligently to quicken their pace. Lady Gwendolyn's demeanour may have seemed cold, but her unit knew her intentions were to instil discipline and strength in the men. The sounds of the docks enveloped them—the creaking of The Veil of Briar as the sea gently rocked it, the clamour of people and sailors busily engaged in their tasks, the distant calls of seabirds, and the soothing rush of the waves caressing the shore.
As the preparations continued, Gwendolyn allowed herself a moment of introspection. Could her men truly prevail against the savage beasts of Quebel? It mattered little, she realized. Win or lose, and she was determined to show the realm that she was no coward.
With the supplies finally loaded, Gwendolyn put down the crate upon reaching the ship's deck. With the preparations finally complete, Gwendolyn surveyed her unit and the sailors, her face still devoid of any emotion. "Rest now, for we have a long voyage ahead," she declared in her flat and blunt voice, her words carrying an air of authority. "May the winds of fate guide us to victory."
In unison, the Blackshields replied, their voices resolute, "May the winds of fate shield us in the wars to come."
Subtly nodding in acknowledgment, Gwendolyn motioned to her men that they were dismissed. As the Blackshields dispersed to find their rest, she turned and walked with unwavering purpose toward the captain's cabin. The night ahead held countless uncertainties, and her mind was focused solely on the challenges that lay ahead.
Inside the cabin, she closed the door, the sounds of the ship gradually fading into the background. Alone in the dimly lit room, Gwendolyn finally allowed herself a moment to reflect, her face still devoid of emotion. With a stoic resolve, she prepared herself for the voyage to come, knowing that the trials they would face on Tomb Island would test not only her men's mettle but her own.
As the night deepened and the ship left port, Gwendolyn remained within the captain's cabin. Her thoughts shrouded in cryptic silence. The winds of fate had set them on this perilous path, and she would navigate it with unwavering determination, ready to face whatever monsters and challenges awaited them in the region of Quebel.
