Galatia Silverhyl

    “May I have this dance?” the handsome young man proffered his hand politely.
“You may have them all,” the young woman replied with a suppressed laugh, “we are betrothed after all!”
He held her close to her as they danced smoothly around the hall, soft music filling the room. He led around the room with grace, and then leaned forward…
“Are you ready for tonight?” he whispered in her ear.
“Yes my love,” she replied, “I shall just need to fetch my things from upstairs.”
“Good. Tonight’s the night Galatia!”
“Those foul creatures shall meet with their vile gods this very night,” she paused, “I love you Elneiros.”
“I love you too.”

The harsh wind whistled through the trees as the couple headed on their short journey out of town, the moon lighting their path. They travelled by carriage, the driver chosen by Elneiros. Bags, belts, and weapons were put on over their ball clothes. Galatia checked the various feathers and stones in her pouch, whilst Elneiros sharpened his rapier.
Galatia looked up from her handful of components, “Where do these creatures make their home?”
Elneiros answered without looking toward her, “In a small cave just outside town. It won’t be much farther now.”

After a short journey, the driver stopped. Drawing her bow, Galatia stepped down from the carriage. In front of her stood a small opening in a cliff face. Turning back, she could not see the town they had just come from.
“Ready?” Elneiros stepped down from the carriage, sword in hand.
“Ready.” Taking a few hairs from her pouch, Galatia spoke a short invocation, the hairs vanished into the air, and Elneiros’ muscles began to strain at the fabric covering them.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”

As they entered the cave, Galatia muttered a word, and her necklace began to shine as a torch, lighting their way. Rubbish was strewn across the floor of the cave: bones and skin chiefly. Suddenly, a horde of goblins ran out from a crack at the back of the cave, cursing and spitting. Elneiros let out a roar as he plunged into the mob, and Galatia fired arrows into the fray. Soon, she discarded the bow, and began drawing objects from her pouch. The goblin gnawing on her fiancé’s leg soon halved in size, and another felt his strength sapped away when a smoky ray hit him. One from the rabble decided to attack the girl, and caught her off guard, hitting her in the stomach with his club. Before her lover turned around, she spoke a quick word, and grasped the foul creature by the throat, draining the life from it, and healing her injury. The goblins gave her a wider berth after this, allowing Elneiros to hack at them with his sword.
After a long, tiring fight, the floor was strewn with bodies. Galatia and Elneiros were both splattered with blood.
“They’ll be leaving travellers alone now.” Galatia panted as she tried to catch her breath.
Elneiros said nothing, moving towards her, giving a warm smile. He hugged her tightly.
“Ow!” she let out a cry as she felt a sudden, sharp pain on her neck. She felt the life draining out of her, and she could no longer support her own weight.

Her death throes echoed through the cave.