Those monks hadn't rang that bell in...Actually Kathryn could not remember ever hearing that bell. Up to this day Cloister had been a very peaceful place to live.

Sure there had been an occasional uproar, or a group of robbers trying to claim some of Cloisters wealth for their own. But never like this.

It all happened so fast. Fear had set in every pour of her body, as she tried to make herself invisible behind her vegetable cart.

She had been slow to pack everything together today. Most of the market go-ers had all ready left to make their way home, when she heard the dreadful sound of the bells warning her something was wrong. ..terribly wrong!

Within seconds the area around her changed from peaceful-to hostile. The royal knights seems to appear out of every corner and took their battle positions. Kathryn dared to look through the castle gates and got the glimpse of a small army of guihrr- worriers. A fearsome group of Viking-like robbers that existed only by plundering small villages. Why would they come here?

She heard lord Elmont shouting the orders to close the gate, as well as sending some of the men to guard the castle walls. With great effort they were able to close it and the pull up the bridge before anyone could enter.

But the battle wasn't won by that simple act of defense. Burning arrows flew over the castle walls. Creating small fires around her. Kathryn closed her eyes in horror when she saw one of the knights get hit with an arrow, setting his armor aflame.

To make matters worse, by the cries and orders from the men up on the castle walls she could tell a few of the worriers had managed to get inside; using strong hooks to climb over the castle walls.

Kathryn was scared ...very scared. Scared of her own life as well of the others around her. All she could do was to keep very still and stay hidden as the knights were fighting off the intruders.

She curled her body to be as small as possible. praying that no one would see her.

With the grunts and clatter of swords growing more silent around her. Kathryn dared to glance around the corner.

The sight of around her was as terrible as it was comforting. From what she could see, at least 5 of the guihrr worriers had managed to climb over the walls to reach the main square. But the knights had fought them off bravely, leaving their dead bodies on the ground. Kathryn saw lord Elmont looking around to get a good overview of the situation.

On the other side of the walls the battle continuous, though the screams seemed to be fading a little.

Just as she wanted to move from her hiding place, she saw something move. The body of the worrier, closest to her, wasn't dead after all. She could see him standing upright and making his way to Elmont, with a blade clutched in his hand.

Elmont did not see what was going on behind him.

Kathryn was trembling all over. She had to do something to stop the scene that was unfolding before her eyes.

The picked up an apple from the cart; the only "weapon" she could find at arm's reach. And threw it in the worriers-direction. Whether it was her perfect aim or dumb luck, she didn't know, but the apple hit its target. The worrier let out a high pitched squeal as he turned round to see what had hit him.

She tried to duck away but was too late. In a brief second their eyes met and on that moment Kathryn knew he would kill her.

He screamed something in a language she couldn't understand, as he run towards her.

Kathryn froze in fear. She could do no more than to close her eyes and wait for the blow.. that didn't come!

Instead she heard a gasp and a thud... when she dared to open her eyes. Elmont stood before her. The body of the worrier laying lifeless in between them.

She wanted to say something, or do something like to fling her arm around his neck and hold him, but she was too much in shock to move. So she just stared... her eyes flickering from the dead body to Elmonts seemingly calm face.

Then cheers sounded from the castle walls. "Captain.. they're retreating!" .. a knight shouted

as an unnecessary comment down to Elmont.

At that moment Kathryn broke down and cried.

Gently Elmont guided her away from the corpse. As he pulled her close. Feeling safe in his arms, Kathryn finally let go of the fear she'd been feeling. Tears rolled down her face, forming small droplets on the dark armor.

"I was so scared.."she whispered...

He stroked her hair in a soothing manner. "it is when we are scared that we do the most courageous things!"

"you're a very special girl, Kathryn" Elmont took her face in his hands as he said that.

"I am not" she mumbled.

"Yes, you are. I have seen you showing your humanity to that young thief, your loyalty to your family and your strength carrying one of my knights with a broken leg"

She looked up to him... surprised to find he had looked at her in such a manner.

"And today"... Elmont continued "Today you've shown true bravery as you exposed yourself from your hiding place, to stop that guihrr-worrier from killing me. And I want to thank you for that."

Elmont let go of her face. With his right hand he reached for the crest on his left arm to remove it. He stroked the bronze emblem with his thumb before handing it to her.

Both puzzled and flattered by his words. Kathryn took the crest. A beautiful carved tree; the symbol carries only by the Royal nights of Cloister.

"Thank you for saving my life. You're one of us now, Kathryn"

"I am honored, sir".. Kathryn finally managed to speak.

"As are we, Milady"... he replied as he bowed to her.

Kathryn took one last look at the emblem before she tucked it away in her dress. Knowing she would hold on to that, forerever.