Chapter 1

Five years later

"Hazel, I cant believe you did that to the soldier." A lilting voice sang over the rivers steady hum, she continuing to snicker at the way the old croon had come flying to her defense, grateful she had been there to help get rid of a man that didn't understand the meaning of "NO!".

Fay replayed the memory over and over again, still feeling the rush of adrenaline and fear when the hardy soldier had pressed himself so close she had smelt the morning booze on his breath. But the fear always reverted back into amusement remembering how Hazel had slapped a sopping wet shirt across the mans head, stating that if he kept harassing her little Fay he'd wake up to find himself without a means to reproduce. His horrified expression had been priceless, enough, Fay concluded, had been worth getting man-handled for a minute.

She slapped a bar of soap into her hand, lathering up a good deal of suds so that she could attack the vicious stain on sir Troy's good shirt - all the while trying to catch her breath due to the laughter. Dashing all thoughts aside, Fay swept a strand of auburn hair from her sparkling eyes, feeling the giggles still bubbling in her stomach. "I doubt that old cocker will bother you again, I seem to have this uncanny ability to scare the men folk." The old woman winked knowingly, both unable to keep their sides from stitching.

"It's probably because they think you'll put a hex on them."

"Would if I knew how. I'd turn them into a girl and let them experience what it's like to get felt up."

Fay had to agree with her old friend, still wishing her confidence hadn't gotten the better of her this morning and led her to believe she was safe by herself. Those two things had to be her greatest flaws; temper and pride.

Glancing towards the rising sun, the younger woman knew that if they dawdled any longer her freckles were going to be burned in this blistering heat. "Come on, I don't want to be out here when the sun hits midday, I'm red enough as it is. Plus, we never know when Jonas might come along again for round two. I swear, the idiot doesn't take a hint!"

Old Hazel simply made a tsking sound towards the young lady, shaking a soggy sock in her direction, "I warned you not to get all headstrong and go anywhere by yourself now-a-days. You're becoming too pretty to do that and all's those men want to do is stick their… uh… hands up your skirt."

"You'd figure they wouldn't touch me with a ten foot pole at the way I chew them out."

"No, they'll just put your mouth to other uses."

Fay, not wanting to discuss this topic further since it was going in a direction she wasn't accustomed too or familiar with, spun back to scrubbing, "I'm usually logical about these things, think it through, but Jonas pissed me off so bad before I came out here, I… I…" She gave a tiny roar, calming slightly once hearing a rip work it's way from her hands, a defeated sigh escaping her lips when she held the shirt up to see a large hole running through its front, "Everyone knows it's my one weakness. I lose all reason because of it."

"Maybe you should pay less attention to reason and more to where a woman's true strength lays."

This forced a steady blush to spread along Fay's cheeks, since a ninety-something year old woman was referring to sex she assumed, spinning so that her attention rested wholly on another shirt.

"Now don't get all fluttered," Hazel grumbled, "I didn't mean down there. I meant your heart you twit."

"O-oh, of course. I knew that." She stumbled, positive the old woman knew better since it was common knowledge that when the amazing Fay stuttered it was because she was lying.

"Sure you did. I swear, for a girl that reads so much you can be so dense."

"I'm not dense!"

"You are when it comes to common sense. Now, I happened to have some gossip that wont stay bottled up inside me for much longer. It's interesting, well, for you probably because it centers around sir Troy."

"The only way I'm interested is if Troy is in trouble. I wish the king would execute him already and let us work for a respectable knight, I'm too ashamed to admit being Troy's servant when strangers ask."

Keeping her hands constantly moving, the younger woman listened to every other word Hazel was overjoyed to share, minding herself not to believe all she heard, especially if it came from this constantly gossiping woman. She held to facts rather than yarns spun by wagging tongues and half blind sheep. Unlike most people her age, Fay had grown to believe herself a sensible woman, trusting only in what she saw rather than being led around by the nose on beliefs that probably weren't true to begin with. It was childish to be naive and she had lost her childhood the day her brother's death reached her ears.

But then again, Fay glanced at the piles of laundry, the temptation to laugh, to let her guard down only for a minute on Troy's expense, was too great to resist. What can it hurt to listen? It's not like there's anything better to do and I doubt Hazel has anyone else to talk too.

Fay swapped at her hair again, trying to sound serious all at the same time, "Before you go any further, I just want to warn you that if you start straying I'm going to find a wagoc frog and poison myself with it. You have the bad habit of skipping around and I always have to backtrack you to the original story. Sometimes I don't even remember what we were talking about to begin with."

"Well, if you poison yourself you'll never know about the good/bad news I'm about to tell you. I've heard that sir Troy is in it deep this time for his cowardly ways."

Fay couldn't help but snicker wickedly behind her falling chestnut curls, heaving a rough "FINALLY!" under her breath, "It's about time. I can't believe it took so long for the king to notice he's absolutely pathetic. He gets his soldiers to do everything. Are they gonna give us a new knight to serve under? God, I hope so. Can we have front row tickets to Troy's beheading?"

Hazel wasn't shocked by her young friends enthusiasm, both familiar with the methods Troy used to weasel foolish idiots into doing his dirty work. Much like with my brother. It still stung to remember Austin, even after all these years. Fay never could get over the horrible tales the surviving men reluctantly whispered; how Austin had been torn into a million pieces and not one of them was able, or willing, to prevent it.

Hazel bit her lower lip, knowing by the silence, and the girls expression, Austin was lingering in her thoughts. "I know that look, my dear. It's the same you get when… do you need to lay down a bit?"

"Don't worry about it, I'll manage." This being another reason Fay was a diligent worker. What better way to stop remembering than to not think at all. Keep moving, don't stop, don't allow yourself to reflect. It was horrible the way she constantly boasted about her own bravado - facing the dark for the servants children, tackling the responsibility of removing mice and spiders from the cupboards - yet never did she find the courage to face her past.

The old woman rested her withered hand upon her friends, patting it in a way to reassure her on the matter. "It will always ache no matter how many years fly by. I know, I know better than any about that."

"Troy. What else were you going to tell me about him?" Fay rubbed her nose and continued with her work, hoping the old woman's voice drowned out her inner one.

Reluctantly, the old woman sat on her haunches, staring off in the distant horizon, "They say a monster still wanders the lands. One that Troy had boasted on slaying." Both women snorted, "Troy always was a yellow belly to the very bone. He stole as much treasure as his men could carry and buggered off."

"Bastard. It is like him to cut and run. No doubt he left someone else to deal with his failure, or hoped no one would notice it was still alive. God, he's so dumb. How can you not notice a monster running around? Is the king going to send another knight to clean up Troy's unfinished business?"

"I don't think so. They say this one has a reputation blacker than its heart, enough, I'm sure, that has left King Brigis's best men to cry and hide behind their fame and fortune."

It figures, Fay thought. Nothing but headless chickens cocking and strutting around to run this kingdom. Leaning back upon her heels, Fay let loose a long weary sigh, straightening her back and flexing her muscles to release the strain. "So… there just going to ignore it. Nice. I pity the suffering villagers, for they're the one's that have to deal with it."

Hazel looked a bit hesitant to finish her story, returning to her mound of riding pants after she had finished with the socks. "It's called Lestave."

At this the girl bolted right up, complexion growing pale. "W-what did you say?"

"Lestave. You know this one all to well."

How could she not? Fay instantly took the old woman by her arm, her grip biting as her glare dared for the elder to repeat this a third time. "Are you sure of this? Is this true, Hazel, or another of your bull shit stories?"

The croon effortlessly shook her off, growling deep and fierce, "Tis true I tell you. Have I ever lied?" The look she received gave cause to restate her question, "Okay, have I ever lead you so far astray before?"

No, Fay had to give the shrew that. Clenching her fists, for it seemed the only way from destroying something at the moment, the girl quickly spun in the direction of the castle, stomping the entire time on the dirty path.

"Wait, where are you going? You haven't finished with your laundry yet."

"I don't give a witch's tit about the blasted laundry! I'm going to see sir Troy."

With that Hazel was instantly on her feet, taking the fuming girl by her shoulders to try and shake some sense into her. "Now I know this is a bit of a shock but there's no need for you to go blaring your mouth and getting yourself on bad terms with his lordship." She tried to reason, tone quivering to think of what all Fay was about to say, or rather shout at her master. "I told you out here so you could cool off first and get a grip on your anger. Damn it Fay, look at me."

The young woman only squared her shoulders, swatting the wrinkled hands to the side to continue on her rampage. It seemed the only thing she could see was a red veil for the deceit she had been fed. All knew to steer clear of her when she was in a sour mood, no servant, or soldier, this including Jonas, dared to get between her and the castle as she went fuming through the courtyard in search of the one man that could clarify all these jumbles tossing within her emotions.

Troy was in the middle of thrusting his sword into his general, having been sparing for over an hour now and finally getting the better of the man. He was taken aback though when the unmoving, steaming body of Fay planted herself firmly in front of his attack, her eyes boring fire into his soul as he nearly stumbled face first to avoid her. When she refused to move from her spot he felt his patience thinning, growling, "Here now, move aside wench or I shall run you through."

The woman only crossed her arms, tapping a foot impatiently. "You care to retell the story of how you slayed the Cecrops Serpent?"

Troy's malicious jeer turned to that of alarm. He quickly seized the girls elbow, waving for his men, and any who stopped to watch, back to work as he drug the viscous girl towards the terrace stairs. "I have already told you that tale, the monster Lestave lives no more."

"Oh, really." She didn't sound all that convinced. "I've been hearing stories that say otherwise."

"You dare to question my honor, after all I have done for such a whelp? Your brother would be turning in his grave if-"

"Don't you speak to me about Austin! The only thing I question is your knightly code and my brothers death being avenged. We all know you have no honor." She shook a heated fist towards his face. Fay didn't care if he had her whipped for her statements, if she became homeless because of this spineless pig. The only thing she expected from him was the truth, if he was even capable of telling it, threatening to knock him into oblivion if what she had heard was true.

Troy grunted spitefully, allowing for a few swears to litter the air, "I can just as easily have you beat right now, in front of the entire household, but I forgive you for your outburst. Your brothers death has certainly taken a toll."

"I care not for your threats, good knight, I expect an honest answer. One, I'm positive, you can give. Have I ever asked anything from you before?"

Troy ruffled a large portion of his hair, groaning in a way that caused even her to hold her breath in anticipation. Scanning the surrounding area, he sheathed his sword, though it appeared he was more inclined to run it through her; which he had every right too. The man took but a few steps to the edge of the walk, gazing out across the petty expansion that made up his lands. Peasants toiled in the distance, working the soil while woodsmen went about snaring small game for supper, plenty of sheep ran in herds to graze, all this distracting the knight until he had gathered his words.

"Austin was a loyal companion during all my escapades. If there was any I trusted my life with it was he. I thought of him like a brother in a way, and you a sister." He paused to allow this to sink in, glancing over his shoulder to see Fay bow her head as a response. It made her skin crawl when he referred to her being a sisterly type, all those lusty looks he had given while she was young, and even his mannerisms when they were alone, plus his offers for her being his future mistress was enough she was somewhat thankful they weren't related.

"I have done many things in my life, Fay, enough to where I am on good terms with King Brigis. But…" He stopped here, clenching his hands in an uncomfortable fashion. "I was unable to slay Lestave."

This, apparently, caught the young woman off guard. She had hoped Hazel was only retelling a meaningless rumor, that maybe Troy had done his duty - for once. It was shocking for him to admit his defeat so easily.

Fay's voice falter due to what he had barely whispered, forcing her jaw to dangle between her knee's. "You… you let it live?!" Troy scrunched his entire frame, flinching at her shrill shriek. It took no time for her to kill the distance between them, jabbing an accusing finger into his backside while carrying on, "You lied to everyone - even the King!- left the poor villagers of Cecrops to the wills of that monster. And my brother… you spineless wretch!"

"Hold your tongue! Do you think I wanted to leave poor Austin, do you? I wish to God I had the power to kill that beast that day, but it isn't possible, Fay. I just… I can't."

She drew back to strike him, wanted to with every fiber in her trembling body. The fury seemed almost seething, a living entity that was held at bay only by a very thin chain. Chewing her bottom lip, and hearing that pitiful mans voice, she turned the mistiness away so he couldn't see the sorrow ready to spill. All this time she had falsely believed in Troy's heroism, that Austin's soul was resting easy knowing his murderer now burned for all eternity. But now… now her world was turned upside down again.

Troy quickly spun on his heels at her silence, eyes beseeching her not to tell. "Fay, please understand that I'm not what I used to be. I'm not a young man anymore, it's just not in me to maintain my reputation, to go waltzing out there to finish the naga."

"You fear death, Troy?" Her question was more of an accusation.

The man looked ashamed of himself, as he should be, returning his attention to the heavens, "You wouldn't understand where I'm coming from, since you have never done anything in your life but be sheltered in this castle. While we were in the monsters lair, I became foolish. The treasure blinded me to the danger, for it had been larger that what we brought back. It was so vast, so great that my thirst for it overrode the safety of my men. I paid a heavy price though… as did many others, including Austin.

"But no matter how much we left behind I dare not brave to go back. I would slit my own throat before I did such a thing. Austin was able to distract the creature long enough for me to save a few of my men and wound it. I thought I had done it in, or at least hindered it enough to parish. Its screams told he was in great pain when we left. For many years I heard nothing, not until just recently. So you see, I'm not a bad man. I thought I had done my job."

Fay was still livid, hiding it better now that his story began to unfold, "You should have made sure, gone back to at least gather the bodies you left behind. I thought you took proof to the king, its head in a crystal box. That's what you told everyone when you returned!"

This only caused him to laugh bitterly, seating himself on the stones, "The only thing that old king received was an ear I severed in the battle and a large sum of the gold my soldiers had carried off. We were unable to return in fear of what happened to Austin. I am a man, just like any other, inclined to become afraid."

"But a knight still goes against what scares him, to protect the people he has vowed to serve, even at the cost of his own life."

Troy eventually threw his hands in the air, heading back to the courtyard with a huff, "I have repaid my cowardice to you by allowing you to live a better life than most noble women."

"You mean other than forcing me to clean your laundry and polish your trophies."

His smile was down right dangerous, vanishing in a flash. "Everyone has to make a living, or be put to use. If you don't like your status the offer for becoming my mistress is still open." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively, forcing her to gag. I think I just threw up in my mouth.

The very notion sickened her.

She inwardly drew back, repulsed by the idea for he had to be at least a decade older, if not more, than her. Besides, she was not fooled by his charade nor was she going to allow him to get away with this farce either.

"So you wont go and finish what you were ordered to do."

Troy dryly chuckled, tapping his fingers over his swords hilt, "According to the king, I have already done Lestave in."

"I'm sure he will hear about the rumors eventually. And when that happens, I'd not want to be in your shoes."

A slight tick worked it's way along his face, his focus falling to his scuffed boots. "You make a good point. Yet I doubt any man alive will be able to withstand the serpents might, his fury, or his charm."

Fay corked a brow at that, slowly feeling herself being lured in. "Charm?"

The knight rubbed his stubble chin, quirking a smirk when acknowledging her curiosity. "Perhaps… this mission requires a feminine touch."

"Are you suggesting sending a woman to clean up your mess?"

The knight threw his head back in one boastful cackle, clutching his stomach to hold the small jiggle in place, "Oh no, of course not, what was I thinking? You're completely right, my girl. A woman can't possibly hold her own in the midst of a battle. They are far to fragile, to delicate to withstand any kind of trauma outside of knitting and serving her man."

That seemed to be the button that sent her on a wild tandem, Fay jutting out her jaw, loathing those that snuffed a female's abilities because of their chauvinistic idiocy, "I could do it easily and you know it! I'm tougher than your soldiers and, lets face it, smarter too."

"I beg to differ." His amusement still visible. "We all know you're all talk and no action my dear. Right now you're badgering me over some petty revenge that isn't mine to begin with while a man would have asked to take a leave of absence and exacted their own for themselves. A man would have leapt at the opportunity to avenge his sibling. No permission needed."

With her feathers ruffled, and her hot temper getting the best of her better judgment - again - Fay pushed past the giddy man, heading towards her room, growling to any and all that were in earshot, "I'll show you. I'll show you all! I'll slay the Cecrops Serpent and no one's gonna stop me."

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AN- So here the story finally begins, with her heading to meet the naga. I tried to show she had a hot temper, even as an adult, satisfied it came out as it did. R/R