Dean x Reader Face Your Battles Warrior Chap. 2

       Face Your Battles Warrior
       CHAPTER 2
       True Identity

       The Poison warrior took one last look at the grotesque battlefield before steering his horse away from this nightmare and onto the closest town. The picture was seared into his eyes. He kept telling himself to not look back. Don’t think about it. Maybe if he pretended it didn’t happen it would save the bit of sanity that was left after all the trauma he went through. What was actually left though? He prayed to any deity that would listen that those memories of blood gore wouldn’t haunt him. He prayed that they wouldn’t keep him up or follow him in life. The King’s knights would be here at any moment, even if it was days the warrior had to cover his tracks and leave town. The Poison Warrior didn’t want to find out what would happen then.

       So off he went.

       The next town over wasn’t too long of a ride. He remembered when the army pasted through it. Sadly the name eluded him; his memory wasn’t the best thing in the world. The warrior’s horse was getting tired so he opted to walking the gentle animal that grew to become his friend. He could hear the chatter of a bustling market in the distance. Soon enough they were engulfed in the waves of people. Commoners, wizards, witches, dwarves, some hobbits, and apprentices alike chattered about.

       The warrior needed to get supplies and quickly. He and, from how slowly she walked, his horse needed food. The Poison Warrior also felt the urge to buy a healing potion. While magic was banned and sold in the Underground, there were some magic potions that were allowed that see the day of life without shackles.

       After feeding his horse, the Poison Warrior walked around some more and stumbled upon a rather dashing stand setup. It really stood out from the other stands that the market housed. It was set up like a circus tent with blue glossy fabric that covered up the inside. The stand itself was made with dark sturdy wood.  He looked around the stand and found little potions covering it. Some were for party tricks and some were simple healing potions, which was what he needed. The potion wouldn’t do an amazing job, but it’d help with the pain- only the physical kind though. When the warrior looked around he couldn’t find the shop owner. He was about to step away-

       Until an old man with a pointy nose and matching hat popped up from behind the corner.

       “Howdy there dearie! Merek at your service,” He bowed a little tipping his hat to the warrior. His voice was quiet comical and almost made the knight laugh. “What can I do for ya good knight?” His smile showed missing and crooked teeth. The Poison Warrior pointed to the healing potion. Merek smiled and nodded his head. “A fine choice indeed, how’re those other knights doing out there? Probably good since you’re here buying silly potions!” The warrior froze, unknown to the seller, remembering the battle field and all his fallen friends. Merek laughed to himself. All the knight could do was nod in his suit. The wizard’s mood shifted in an instant. When he looked behind you, he stiffened and his eyes widened before he looked back at the knight. “I’m afraid I have some business elsewhere to attend to! So sorry! Come back later!”

       “Hey! Merek! Get back here!” Merek disappeared out the back entrance of his stand and out of the knight’s sight. The people, who the warrior guessed Merek didn’t want to talk to, raced after him passing the stand already knowing Merek’s tricks. This guy must’ve been quite the sneaky one. The Poison Warrior assumed that Merek had a bad deal with someone, or he was selling magic from the Underground. The warrior let out an annoyed sigh within his helmet. It would most likely be a while before Merek came back and he needed that potion. The knight reached into the leather pouch on his waist and put the amount of gold needed to buy the healing potion, when he heard something peculiar in the back of the stand. The warrior’s eyes narrowed behind his helmet. He looked left and then right just in case someone was watching. Without hesitation the warrior passed the blue curtain that kept the inside hidden and marched forwards. Merek must’ve enchanted his stand. It was a lot bigger on the inside than the outside. There was a kitchen, a living area, and even a bedroom! The inside was covered in knick knacks and potions Merek had collected over the years. The sound came again. It was muffled but it sounded like someone moving around.

       *squaEEKKK*

       A floor board let out a shrill scream as the knight’s foot passed over it. He stopped in his place and moved his foot on and off the board again. The warrior was able to bounce while in this spot. He lifted the rug and found a little handle on the floor. The Poison Warrior wrapped his fingers around the handle and pulled it up.

       “Help! Please look into your heart and help me escape!” There was a hole dug out underneath the floor boards. A tall boy with shaggy brown hair looked up at the warrior with a sparkle in his eyes. He looked quiet young. It was a curious case though. Why would a wizard capture a peasant? Wouldn’t he have an apprentice? Well, whoever he was this guy must’ve been important. The man trapped in the hole smiled seeing the warrior extend his hand. “Oh, happy day, thank you so much my good knight.” Once the warrior put his hand to help the stranger a shock was sent through his arm. “Damn….Merek must’ve put a spell on it….” The stranger looked down but his head popped up again with that sparkle still in his eyes. “I know how to break it! Quickly! Mix these things together! They’re all on the shelf behind me.” The Poison Warrior did as the stranger said and waited for the last direction. “Ok now pour it over the hole.” Without hesitation the mixed herbs were thrown onto the spell bound exit. “Quickly, try again please!” The knight slowly put his hand into the hole wondering if it worked. Once his hand passed through the boundary the stranger smiled. Finally the warrior grabbed onto the man’s hand and helped him out of the hole. Once the knight gave the man a once over look to check for injuries, he turned around motioning for the man to follow him. Merek would no doubt be here any second now.

       “Thank you so much! I’d been stuck in there for a while. No one dares to come into Merek’s tent knowing his bad temper, I’m lucky you showed up.” This stranger was quiet happy go lucky and followed behind the knight like a lost puppy. “My name’s Sam by the way. And yours?”

       “Not important,” The knight’s voice sounded off, but Sam ignored it having been saved. He was a little curious as to why the warrior wouldn’t give his name, and almost didn’t trust him... After saving him some serious payment would be given, considering. “Where do you come from?” The knight stood beside his horse and held the reigns pulling her along with them as they walked out of town.

       “Lawrence. Have you been?” The knight felt himself stiffen a little, that being the kingdom he serves.

       “Yes. Now get on the horse. We need to go now.” The knight tried his best to speak as little as he could.

       “Why?” Sam tilted his head. He could his way home from here somehow.

       “I’m gonna help you get home. Now get on the horse.” The knight helped the young man on the gentle animal and followed suit. The warrior knew that once this squishy cute kid was on the streets, he’d be mugged or killed.

       “Oh why thank you knight!” Sam smiled feeling excited to finally be home. Kids here and there in any kingdom got picked up, so the warrior wasn’t too suspicious of Sam. He looked too innocent.

       “Hang on.” The horse started to walk forwards. Sam quickly latched onto the knight feeling himself bounce on the saddle.

       “Sorry…” Sam mumbled embarrassed by his ungracefulness. A pink color rose to his cheeks.

       Now that Sam sat on the horse with the knight, the man in front of him seemed quite small for a warrior. But once more he dismissed it, not only being naïve but trusting. This knight seemed to want to help so why not trust him?

       Once the town fell behind them, a forest covered their tracks and surrounded them. Sam’s eyes followed the trees that passed them. Everything was quite peaceful here. It was a nice change from Merek’s yelling. The only thing Sam could hear was the trotting of the horse and the songs of birds that lived in the trees above. He felt very relaxed, as if all his worries just rolled off his shoulders. Sam enjoyed the view instead of speaking with his savior. Making conversation on a horse would be quite a difficult feat so Sam thought of all the questions he wanted to ask when they would take a break and tried his best to memorize them.

       The warrior looked up and saw that the sun was getting tired. Pinks, oranges, and purples blended in the sky like a beautiful painting, no doubt that the moon would take the sun’s place in a half an hour or so. Up ahead was a river that would be a good place to rest. The rushing water soothed the knight’s nerves, luckily waters this shallow weren’t able to house sirens the warrior hated so much. The forest wasn’t the most dangerous of the world, so worrying about Sam wouldn’t be a huge issue. “We’ll rest here.” The knight got off the horse and helped the young man he saved off as well. The knight proceeded to take everything off his horse, saddle and all, to let her get comfortable and rest. Sam bent his knees feeling his joints crack from being in a sitting position for so long. He put a hand over his stomach as it rumbled with hunger. The young man choose to ignore it, not wanting to bother his rescuer any more than he already was when he felt two taps on his shoulder. It was the knight with a leather bag.

       “Here, there’s food in here. Mostly fruits and dry foods. I’m going to get water. Stay here and yell if you need anything.” Yes, there was something off about the knight’s voice….

       “Oh, thank you!” Sam nodded with a smile as the knight went to the river to fill his canteen. Sam looked around the opening of trees that guided you to the river. It was quite magnificent, quite picturesque. Feeling his stomach grumble once more, Sam sat in front of one of trees and picked out an apple. The knight came back a few minutes later with a full canteen and handed it to Sam. In his other hand the knight held dead sticks. Since the sun was setting, they’d need some sort of light source.

       “I can help if you’d like, it’s the least I can do after you rescued me.” Sam stood up and walked over to the knight. Leaves crunched under his boots.

       “That’s alright, I can do it.” Sam ignored the knight’s words and kneeled on the ground with him putting the sticks up in a teepee formation.

       “Wait,” Sam said seeing the knight want to ignite the flame. “I learned this from watching Merek.” Sam put his hands above the sticks and closed his eyes in concentration. After mumbling some words the sticks lit aflame. While Sam couldn’t see his face, he noticed his body move in surprise. “Handy right?” Sam found himself smiling again. It was nice having someone else to talk to other than that crusty old man.

       “Thanks,” The knight stood up to do a once over of the place. “You should get some sleep. It’ll be a long ride to get to Lawrence.” The knight rummaged through his leather bag and handed the young man a blanket. Before Sam could say anything more the knight was already set off on his mission.

       ‘Home….I’ll be home…’ Sam thought to himself before lying down next to the warm fire.

       The knight stayed up for a bit, not able to do anything but worry about the young man he’d brought along with him.

       “Why do you keep that armor on?” The knight flinched hearing Sam’s voice.

       “It’s comforting.”

       Sam looked at the knight, still lying on the ground, with an eyebrow raised. “Even the helmet?”

       “Yes.”

       “What kingdom do you serve?” Sam slurred feeling the sleep set in again. He’d never gotten to ask the knight his questions. Yet again the knight stiffened at the mention of his kingdom.

       “Lawrence.”

       “That’s great….my parents will surely promote you good knight….” Sam murmured again.
Wait.

       What did he mean his parents?

       Surely he couldn’t mean….

       ‘Oh crap….’

       Sam fell asleep leaving the knight to worry about the inevitable….

       ~~~~~

       The sun rose just at the right time. The knight had gotten up early to wash up and put his armor back on before Sam could wake up. He didn’t get much sleep after last night’s bomb. Not only was this kid part of the royal family, and the kingdom he served, but he was THE missing child of the royal family. It was something the knight knew of but didn’t bother to think about, seeing how the war was going on and when this kid got kidnapped the knight was in training.

       ‘I could just leave him here….I could give him directions and leave him here…’ The knight thought to himself as he paced back and forth near Sam’s sleeping form. The knight looked over at his peaceful sleeping face. ‘Damnit…that kid wouldn’t make it five feet without me….’ The warrior rid himself of thoughts of leaving him, no matter the consequences.
Even if it meant his life.

       If it meant that he could return this kid to his family, then he’d risk his life to do it.
The knight tried his best to settle down his nerves and sat on a log. His leg bounced up and down nervously. He’d have six days at most to think of a plan if something didn’t work out.

       “G’morning.” Sam’s groggy voice greeted the knight as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. The knight nodded at him. “Didn’t you sleep at all?” Sam didn’t see him sleep at all the night before so this raised some questions.

       “Yes.” The knight moved up from the log he sat on and placed the leather bag and canteen by him. “Eat and do whatever you need to get ready. We’ll need to get going. Merek shouldn’t be far behind us.” And yet again the knight was off to saddle up his horse. Sam stretched and silently thanked the knight for being so generous.

       “Where are you, you silly horse…..” The knight mumbled to himself looking around the opening and then the river. A few feet ahead the knight’s horse, Millicent, was prancing around in the water without a care in the world. “Millicent, come on we’ve gotta get going.” The horse neighed and pranced its feet in rebellion. The warrior lifted up the shade of the helmet to show his eyes to the horse. “Millicent, don’t be a willful little girl. We’ve gotta help someone. Now come on.” Millicent turned her head away from the knight but obliged anyway letting him guide her to the camp ground. Millicent was a decent sized horse that had a deep chocolate brown. The warrior had been given this horse when the war started. In that span of three years you could say the two of them really hit it off.
       
       “Are you ready to go?” The knight saw Sam washing his face off in the river. He must’ve wanted to feel fresh after being stuck in that stuffy hell for so long.

       “Yeah just a minute.” Sam ran his hands through his hair and turned back to the warrior ready to get home. The Poison Warrior saddled up Millicent quickly and off they went again.

       ~~~~~

       “What do you mean you lost him?” A voice sneered dripping with venom. Merek stood frozen in his spot looking at one of Blackwood’s henchmen. Getting out of this situation wasn’t going to be a synch, especially when there are four men involved, armed to the teeth and in armor.

       “H-he was gone when I came back! I don’t know what happened! No one comes into my tent! And nobody knows how to break that spell except for the kid himself! And he wouldn’t be able to get the herbs needed to break the spell from his cage!” Merek quickly sputtered out excuses. The henchman grabbed Merek’s neck.

       “You disappointed the lord. Therefore is a fee for such disappointment.” The henchman put his free hand on Merek’s head and twisted it. A loud snap was heard following with a thump. Merek lay on the ground motionless with a blue bruise starting to form around his neck. The first henchmen looked to his group. “Move forward, if we catch them before they reach Lawrence everything can go back to normal.” The group nodded and steered their horses onwards.

       ~~~~~

       The next four days were pretty much the same. The knight and Sam would talk a little, they’d stop through a town, sleep, get supplies, and move onwards. After the fourth day Sam found himself quiet used to the travel and even finding it comforting in a way. His trust for the knight grew as the days drew on. While he didn’t provide much of a background, the knight always made sure Sam ate first and went to bed first. It was nice knowing someone was looking out for Sam.

       Currently the knight and Sam, they let Millicent rest for a bit near a shady tree, were walking through the market for supplies. Sam found these parts of the days the most exciting, other than the sporadic conversations he’d have with his savior. It filled him with glee to see all these different kinds of creatures living together in harmony bustling about to get their things. His eyes had never seen so many different kinds of food. Sam always looked at everything wide eyed and excited. The knight would smile at his antics reminded of a puppy.

       “Can we get this? Please??” Sam asked with a handful of magenta berries. The warrior smiled behind his helmet and nodded yes. “Thank you!” Sam added the berries to the bag with a smile. The warrior put a gold piece on the stand and saluted to the woman manning the stand. She giggled and waved back. The warrior’s charming attitude shifted when he saw a group of men dressed in black armor looking straight at them. He cursed himself for not bringing Millicent with them.

       “There they are!” Sam looked at the knight with a helpless look.

       “Come on!” The warrior shouted, his voice was a lot shriller than how he usual spoke. He quickly grabbed Sam’s arm and ran. The armor didn’t allow him to run as fast as his companion. They went around another stand and kept going. “You go, find Millicent and tell her where to go!” The warrior’s voice changed. It was higher pitched and not as rough. Sam grabbed the knight’s arm and hid behind another stand.

       “What? No! I’m not leaving you!” Sam protested folding his arms across his chest like a five year old. The warrior fumed and nudged Sam forward.

       “You have to. We don’t always get what we want in life Sam. Now go.” The roughness in his voice was completely lost.

       “You sound different, why is that?” Sam narrowed his eyes.

       “There’s no time for that! Now go!”

       “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me the truth!” Sam stared down the knight.

       “Found ‘em!” A loud shout followed with the screams of the market-goers echoed through the market. The loud stomps of horse hooves grew louder and louder. The knight knew that it was now or never to react, even if it meant revealing his identity.

       “Oh fuck it….” The knight pulled off his helmet and pushed it into Sam’s arms. His eyes widened seeing the true face of his rescuer.

       “Y-You’re a woman?” Sam’s cheeks burned a bright red, feeling embarrassed at how close he’d been to the knight.

       The knight’s (H/C) hair spilled over her shoulders in magnificent (Waves, Curls, Streaks). Her (E/C) eyes glared deeply into Sam’s. “Now go get Millicent.” She pulled out her sword from its sheath, in good timing too. She charged at the oncoming enemies with enough force for ten men. The armored men pulled out their swords as well. There were four of them. The first one that came up to bat was tackled to the ground by the knight. She brought up her sword with one hand on the blade and one on the hilt and decapitated the enemy. Blood sprayed from the gash onto her neck and cheeks. Another armed brought their sword up to swing down on the mysterious knight. She quickly picked up her sword and sliced through the skin of his leg. The girl summersaulted to the left before the armed man’s sword could hit her. The next enemy clashed swords with her. They both were excellent sword masters fighting back and forth never gaining or losing ground. The shouts of people still surrounded them as their swords clashed with each other.

       “You think you’re better than me, just because I’m a woman right?” The woman snarled at the man pushing her sword forward locked tight against his sword. The man smirked at her, he had an arrogant look in his eyes.

       “Of course, women like you should be in bed or in the kitchen.” Another flame of rage burned in her chest as she glared at the man. She’d always gotten that attitude in

       “Guess I don’t follow the rules you prick.” She pulled her sword back, causing her enemy to fall forwards. Before he could catch himself, the brave knight elbowed him in the back and pierced his back with her sword in the sliver where he wasn’t covered in armor.

       “Son of a bitch! I can’t feel my legs! You bitch!” The man howled in pain. The woman only glared back at him and looked back to find Sam still in his spot. He was awe struck.

       “We’ve gotta move. Now.” The woman and Sam ran to Millicent, who stood up sensing your anxious attitude. Sam didn’t put up a fight, still shocked by the new information on his savior, and got on the horse. Soon enough Millicent sped out of the market.

       It had been at least an hour since you’d been at the market. The woman and Sam made it to a meadow. She could tell that Millicent was getting tired, so she decided that now was the time to face the music. Sam was still quiet getting off his horse.

       “Look, I get that women aren’t supposed to take spots as knights.” Her tone was gentle as she sat down next to Sam. His eyes were glued to his lap. “But I had my reasons, I did just as good of a job as any man would. Are you gonna report me to the King?” Sam’s head shot up with guilt ridden eyes.

       “No! Of course not! I was just surprised…” Sam looked deep in thought before he looked at you again with that sparkle in his eyes. “You were amazing! I-I don’t even know how you did that!” The woman chuckled feeling the worry roll off her shoulders.

       “Lots of training sweetheart.” The woman looked off onto the rolling hills as the wind blew gently through her hair. “My name’s (Y/N), by the way.” (Y/N) stuck out her hand for Sam to shake.

       “Nice to meet you (Y/N)….” A comfortable silence settled over the two of them as the sun set. Sam looked over to his partner in crime and let his eyes study her. While it was odd to see a woman in armor, he had to admit he enjoyed seeing it. Her hair was free as it moved with the wind. Her skin looked flawless even up to the part that was painted. (Y/N) wore a sort of painted mask on her face that just added to her elegance. Her face was painted white that disappeared into her armor. Black lined her eyebrows while red covered around her eyes.

       Overall she was quite beautiful.

       But Sam didn’t feel attraction towards her, more like a big sister that would keep him safe. He was certain that his parents and brother would like her.