Lynneth stood silently among the other captured women, careful not to draw attention to herself. The novice witch knew what these men intended to do with their captives, and she knew her minor magical abilities would not grant her an exemption. Her mistress stood at her side, no fear in her eyes as the barbarians looked her over.
Isolde, the blood witch of their village, refused to be intimidated by these men. Her pale skin stood in contrast to her blood red hair, her slender figure engulfed by the voluminous crimson locks that tumbled over her shoulder and down her back. She was a striking woman, not beautiful in any traditional sense, but stunning in a way words failed to convey. Her youth had long been spent in study of the mystical arts, though years of blood magic had prevented her from showing her true age.
When the Leader of the barbarians called for the shaman, she stepped forward, her boldness compensating for her meek figure. “You need not tear our village apart looking for the shaman. I am here, and your friend can yet be saved.”
Lynneth winced as her mistress offered to save the man. She wanted nothing more than to see him die in agony. She wished on the entire band of monsters who invaded their homes could suffer his same fate. Mostly she was terrified for her mistress, and what these savages might do to her. She longed for Isolde's strength.
“If I am to save your friends life, I need certain terms to be met. Your men will touch neither hide nor hair of the women here. They are not to be raped, beaten, abused or even so much as looked upon.” She bent over, examine the injured man. She retrieved a ceremonial dagger from her sleeve and cut her hand open, letting her blood drip into the wound. Speaking the incantations, his wounds cease to bleed and began to close. His breathing was no longer labored. She stood once more, and faced the leader. “As he is now, he will not die nor will he recover. If you cross me or my conditions, I will reverse my spell and he will surely perish. If he is to be saved, I must perform a ritual of rebirth upon him. My apprentice will assist me in this. Lynneth, step forward!”
Lynneth gasped as she was called forward. The young woman swept her long fire red red behind a ear, coming forward without looking any of the men in the eyes. The girl was much healthier looking then her mistress, curvy in all the right places rosy cheek and clear eyes. Her magic was much weaker than Isolde, and hadn't yet taken it's toll on her. She stood sheepishly next to her mentor, putting her mentor between her and the cruel barbarian leader.