Lions Eye

Kaylin Schultz

So heres a health to the company! The booming voices carried out of the open doors to
where Lucy stood. The inn was not much for looks, a stout building, made of the rugged grey
stones found further north, with blurry glass windows and dirty wooden edging. Its appearance
was rough, the kind of place frequented by travelers without morals and quaint sensibilities tying
them down. Lucy would bet good money that at least half of the crowd in there was wanted by
the law.
She sauntered, head held high, into the brightly lit room. She pretended that she didnt
notice the interested glances she gathered. Scanning the room quickly, she was able to pick out a
seat in one of the darker corners, away from the crowd of drunkards in the rooms center. She
made her way to it and sat down.
Lucy took her mud crusted cloak off; its dark green wool did nothing to hide the grime
embedded into its hem. She bent to undo her boots and noticed that they had fared no better from
her journey. The tread was caked with red clay and there were worn patches that most likely
would give way within the week.
Excuse me, miss? But me and my friends here couldnt help but notice that you seemed
in want of some company. She jerked her head up and cursed herself for not being more aware
of her surroundings in such a place. A mountain of a man stood before her. Or at least what Lucy
assumed a mountain would look like personified, having never been to the far off mountain
ranges herself she could only guess at their size. But this man was huge. He had the shoulders of
an ox, a wide barrel chest, and stood at least two heads taller than her. His scraped fists looked

like hammers. She drew her perusal of his form to his face and unabashedly gaped at the twisting
scar slashed across his face. There were three men behind him, effectively boxing her in.
No. Im fine, she said. Her voice remained firm, and she thanked gods that it didnt
shake.
Aw, now wheres the fun in that? His sneer annoyed her.
Well, your fun isnt really my problem, now is it, she bit back.
Oh, now youre a lippy one, aint she boys? The mans friends chuckled at this, an ugly
sound. Lucy glanced around for a way to escape. She chewed the inside of her cheek to keep her
temper in check. It wouldnt do her any good to get in a fight with these men. She doubted she
would find any allies in this crowd.
The man with the scarred face seemed to be their leader so Lucy addressed her plea to
him. She grudgingly relaxed her jaw and twisted her mouth into a polite smile, hoping to diffuse
his reaction to her snippy response.
Im sorry sir, but I really am not in the mood for the company you so kindly offered me.
Perhaps another time? she said, years of practice with this kind of man had taught her that
sugared words and fake smiles masked caustic remarks from weak brains wonderfully.
The man with the scar tensed and his beady eyes narrowed. The glint in his eye turned
lethal. Yeah, youll be sorry. I know how harlots like you operate. You think I dont recognize a
slight hidden under pretty words? He grabbed her upper arm and yanked her to her feet. You
need to learn to keep your mouth shut when talkin to your betters. Lucy tugged her arm so hard
it nearly came out of the socket. His grip turned to iron and her flesh began to bruise.
Let go, she ground out. Dont panic, she thought, if you panic it will get worse.
Youre a feisty little thing, eh? His friends grinned at this, it made her skin crawl.

I wont tell you again back off. Her voice trembled but she glared up at him
regardless.
Slash-face paused. Lucy doubted that many women made the mistake of telling him off.
She slowly ran her unhindered right hand to her belt, feeling for the small dagger hidden there. If
she could just jab out with it she may have a chance to escape.
The little hellion has a knife! One of Slash-faces friends was apparently more astute
than his drunken leer gave away. Slash-faces appearance changed from dangerous to murderous.
Lucy watched with wary eye as his own eyes turned black, his scar contorted until his look was
that of what Lucy believed to be a kobold.
Give it here, girl. He twisted her left arm viciously behind her back and yanked the
knife from her grasp. It looked so miniscule held in his enormous hand, but she knew how
effective it could be. It had been her favorite knife for a long while, the thought of this man
touching it bothered her more than she cared to admit.
Im going to teach you to heel, you little bitch. His fist snaked out, faster than she
believed for a man his size, and struck her against the left side of her head.
Lucys vision went black and little stars exploded under her eyelids. She tasted copper, a
bitten tongue.
Hey! What do you think youre doin? The new voice registered on the outlines of her
mind, but she was unable to still her rolling eyes long enough to track the source.
What do I? What do I think Im doing? How about you stay out of this. It aint your
concern, now is it, Slash-face said.
When I see a young woman being brutalized I make it my business. Lucy could barely
hear him over the roaring in her head. She was going to pass out. She was going to pass out, and

when she woke up these men would surely have bound and gagged her in some awful little hole
somewhere. The trickle of fear she had tamped down earlier came roaring back, full force.
Im warning you, back the Hell off, this ones mine. The sound of the strike rang in
Lucys ears. For a quick second she fuzzily wondered who hit who, but then she hit the floor.
Hard. Lucy peeked her eyes open and tried to take in the scene above her. There were four dark
shapes grappling with each other, Slash-faces friends and the newcomer. Her eyes blurred again,
and there was a hot liquid slinking down her face.
She needed to get out of this place. It was highly doubtful, if not impossible, that this man
would win against three thuggish brutes. And once they were finished with him, they would
come after her. Lucy compelled her weak legs to hold her as she stumbled upwards. Fear induced
adrenaline forced her to keep moving. The room tilted violently. She frantically clutched at the
table; it held her up for a minute as everything flipped back to its correct orientation.
Lucy grudgingly inched her flimsy legs towards the back exit. Once there, she pushed her
entire body up against the heavy wooden door. It swung open slowly on rusted hinges. She
worried for a moment that the creak would draw attention, but she couldnt focus on that now. It
was dangerous for her here, she had to get away.
The night air felt cool on her flushed red cheeks. A slight breeze stirred her light blond
hair, blowing several wayward strands into the thick blood clotting against the temple. She bent
over, placing her hands on her shaking knees and wretched. If she had anything in her stomach
she would have lost it, but as it was, she had never gotten the chance to order a meal. Oh, the
little perks of starving, she thought ruefully.
The black fog that had clouded her head dissipated in the brisk night. Lucy looked
around. The inns back door had opened up to the forest that enclosed it. Black boughs of gnarled

wood cast deep shadows in the dimming light. The sun had just set and as a result the stilted rays
barely broke over the woodlands thick canopy. It was setting up to be a cool night, not
uncomfortably so, but enough to make Lucy wish for the indoors. That was the reason she had
originally chosen this inn. Normally she wouldnt risk it, but she was tired and hungry. The
thought of adding cold to that list made her groan in frustration.
Lucy gathered her last shards of strength and began walking to the stables. She needed to
fetch her horse, Sevit, and leave this little incident far behind her. The fight in the barroom that
started up would draw unneeded attention. Not to mention there were now four very angry thugs
who had an interest in her. That man in the inn did nothing but spark their ire. Once they had
finished with him they would be after her.
Lucy was remorseful for her role in attracting her hero to the situation, but she had little
choice of the matter. It wasnt her fault the fool decided to get into it with Slash-face. At least
that was what she tried to tell herself, but there was a spot of guilt on her conscience now.
She walked to the far edge of the clearing, skirting around through the shadows to
decrease the chance of being seen. Although her head had stopped spinning, there was a dull
ache throbbing against her temple. A rough scab had formed, oozing red. The blood was mixed
with her light hair, capturing strands in its syrupy lumps. The angry pink of the swelling had
begun to go down, becoming thick blue and purple bruises.
There you are! Lucy jumped at the voice coming from behind her. She whirled around
then cursed as knives shot into her skull and her stomach lurched.
What do you want? she said after the pain subsided. The man had stepped closer while
she was preoccupied. The light had dimmed further, but she could still make out a basic profile
of his face. She couldnt say he was bad looking, but he was not handsome in the normal sense of

the word either. His face seemed to be all sharp edges and rugged edges. His hair was black as
pitch, cut shorter than was usual, but still retained a bit of curl to it. His nose looked like it had
been fractured once. Lucy judged that he was about her age, maybe older. And from the stubble
on his strong jaw she guessed he had been traveling through like her.
The only really remarkable feature on him were his eyes. A vivid green flecked with gold
and amber, lions eyes, her mother would have called them. The mark of a man destined for the
hunt. Lucys mother had always believed that a mans eyes showed who he was. But Lucys
mother was a naive idealist. The kind of woman who dwelled so deep in her own head nothing
could drag her out. He stared back at her with a look she couldnt decipher. There was something
about them that was compelling, and for a minute she believed her mother. This man was
dangerous. She looked away.
Are you alright? he said, his eyes zoning in on her bruises and cut.
Im fine, she said quickly, she didnt like being watched by him. She wanted him to
leave. She wanted to leave.
He just continued to look at her. Lucy shifted her feet and glanced away.
No you arent. His voice was deep. She could hear traces of an accent, but couldnt
pinpoint what it was.
Excuse me? Shouldnt I be the one to judge if Im alright? His face remained blank.
Let me see he said as he took a step closer to her and reached out his hand. Lucy
skittered backwards.
Stay away! His eyes widened, the only change in his straight face.
Im not going to hurt you, he said.
Lucy made no answer.

Why would I hurt you if I just helped you out back there?
Maybe youre greedy, she murmured.
What?
Im sure you thought it would be easy. Help me out there, play the hero card, and and
then come find me and take me for yourself.
He ran a hand through his hair and sighed.
I should have guessed youd be a little distrusting he said, youve no reason to fear
me though. I swear.
Lucy watched him intently. His body was relaxed, and although he still kept his look of
apathy, he didnt seem all that dangerous.
Whats your name? he asked.
Lucy. Lucy Foxclore.
He smiled faintly.
Im Keterick. Call me Ket. Lucy noticed he omitted his last name, but she didnt
mention it. The sooner he finished talking the sooner she could get Sevit and go.
Lucy may I? Keterick held out his hand towards her. Lucy stepped closer, tucking a
curl behind her ear. He took her face in his hand and turned it. His palm was calloused. She felt
ridiculous being looked after in this fashion.
Pulling away, she said, See? Im fine.
Keterick was ready to argue, but the firm set of her face told him she wouldnt yield on
this point.

If you say so. Are you ready to leave?

Yeah I am wait. What? Lucy gaped at him.

Keterick began to walk towards the stables. You have a horse, correct? Lucy had to trot
to keep up with his long strides. His face was still emotionless, but his voice seemed colder.
What are you talking about? she said, clutching her forehead as the ache seeped in once
again.
Keterick gave her a withering look.
We better hurry. Theyll be waking up soon.
What? The men back there? What did you do to them? I am not going anywhere with
you until you tell me what is going on! Lucys voice rose in pitch as her confusion grew.
Ketericks eyebrows drew together in an impatient glare. She glared right back. Two can play at
this game, she thought. A muscle ticked in his jaw. After a moment he let out an exasperated
sigh.
I need your help. The way he said this wasnt polite, it was as if he was put out just for
having to ask.
Why would I help you?
Oh, I dont know, maybe because I saved you back there? Way I see it, you owe me, he
said.
Lucy bristled at his arrogant attitude.
I owe you nothing. I never asked you to help me. I dont need your help.
Your face tells a different story. Lucy bit down so hard she thought her teeth would
splinter. Keterick continued to walk ahead of her towards the stables. I stuck my neck out for
you. The least you can do is hear me out on my proposition.
Fine. What is it? she growled.

I need to get to Fenrifs northern border. No questions asked. I need someone to travel
with-
Why?
His scowl could have made grown men cower. But Lucy held her ground, determined not
to break under such a show.
Did I not just say no questions asked?
I-
I will pay you of course. As well as any expenses taken while we travel together,
including supplies. Lucy stumbled to a halt. She would have to be a fool to pass up an offer
such as this. He turned to look back at her.
Authors Note:
During this class I have learned a lot about writing fiction that I did not expect to learn.
Ive never been very fluent in the grammar of dialogue, and although it was a struggle to learn
the skill at first, I now feel confident that I can write much better conversations than before.
Before this class I had never really used revision in my writing process, much less peer reviews.
I usually do not ask people to read my work for fear of too critical a review, but during this class
I have overcome my fear of showing my work. I have found that peer reviews are extremely
helpful in my writing process, for they show me what the average reader thinks of my writing
craft. I sent this story to several people, both in and out of my class, so that I would get a much
better sphere of feedback. I have learned that as a writer that I must loosen up when typing or the
story will be stiff and unrealistic. This was difficult for me at first but I now feel more confident
that I can let my ideas flow on the paper. If I were to take this class again I would want there to
be more chances at sharing stories. Maybe a circle up where we can read ours aloud? Or perhaps

Deborah can choose some of the more advanced papers and read them to the class if the student
author gives permission.