Last Dance (KdM Map game)

Description
A romantic story involving Hildr (Astrid Kjær) and her close friend, Krista. Written by Luka. 1700 Words.

Last Dance/ Hildr
“So, you’re departing tomorrow?”

The white-haired girl nodded.

'''“The caravan to Svearike only comes around once in a while around here, and I already told the Instructor beforehand. Why are you asking?”'''

“It’s just… I’m going to miss you around, you know?” I said. This girl, Astrid Kjær, was my closest friend and a frequent sparring partner. I’d never thought of a day when the two of us would not see each other everyday.

She was silent. Perhaps she was deep in thought, but I couldn’t tell what’s in her head. It took a few moments for a response from her.

"Do you want to do something before I leave?" Astrid asked. "Something, you know, just between us?"

"How about we duel for one last time?"

"Sparring, you say?" I could hear the sound of her sword unsheathed. "If you insist."

We readied ourselves in the courtyard, standing opposite of one another. I started the duel with a slash, which Astrid evaded. She then responded with a quick swing to the right, one I managed to avoid, albeit by a hair’s breadth. We spent the next minute attempting to break through the other’s defence: among other moves, a thrust to her right, an overcut to my left, a quick swipe to the center, which she parried and followed with a riposte. Managing to evade it, I went for a diagonal uppercut and our blades clashed, locking us into a bind, the sharp sound of metal clashing rang in my ears. As I tried holding my ground looking for a weak point, I caught a glimpse of Astrid taking a step back, breaking the deadlock, followed by her snow white hair zipping across my right, and I was dragged backward, falling into her. The blade that moments ago was holding my own to a gridlock is now raised horizontally, just a short distance from my throat.

What did I just witness?

“Got you,” she whispered as her sword is returned to its sheath. Just as I finished doing the same, Astrid warped her hands around me by the neck and hugged me from behind.

“Asta, what are you d-”

“Let me hold you for a moment,” she interjected, her endearing voice put me at ease as I sank into her warm embrace. “It’s my last day here, you know.”

I allowed myself to indulge in Astrid’s cuddle as her right hand moves up, tenderly combing her fingers through my hair, her gentle movements made me feel like I was a girl spoilt for affection. It was almost a serene moment, one I wished would have lasted forever.

“Krista,” she called.

I was woken up from the trance, and subconsciously replied, “You called?”, while turning around, still within the confines of her arms. The two of us were face-to-face, and I could see her blue eyes gleaming in the sunlight.

“I have something I want to tell you.”

“I’m listening,” I replied, eagerly.

“You know, there’s this thing I have been keeping to myself for a while now, and, uh…” she hesitated. “It’s just that… I… I love you, Krista."

With no time for myself to react, Astrid leaned in, and pressed her lips against mine. I was taken aback by the unexpected revelation, my mind went blank, filled with the sensation of my first kiss being taken by my closest friend; and my face, possibly turned red. It was a long and deep kiss, and I couldn't lie: I enjoyed every moment of it. If only there was a way I could break it to her that I didn't quite feel the same way…

''Not entirely, anyway. I couldn't tell what I really thought of her myself. ''

Astrid removed her soft lips from mine and released me from her embrace, still looking straight as me, presumably expecting a response. I was frozen temporarily from the sudden occurrence, my thoughts clouded - how am I supposed to reply?

'''"What's wrong?" '''Astrid prompted, gently, as if she had sensed an uneasiness inside me.

"You know, it's just… it's all too sudden when you come up with me like this…"

I paused for a bit. I couldn't tell if my answer would be adequate, but it was the only thing I could say that reflected my true feelings.

"I… I don't think I can say the same for myself. I'm sorry, Asta."

There was a hint of sadness in her eyes. I understood she would be disappointed, however, I didn't reckon there was anything else I could say. I wasn't sure of my emotions myself. Maybe I have fallen for her, too. ''Maybe I have not. Perhaps it is the best for both of us that I turn you down. ''

"But… thanks for telling me. I appreciate it."

Astrid let out a weak smile, which I assumed was to hide her inner pain. I broke her heart, after all. "...I understand," she said, dejectedly."Maybe we just aren't meant to be…"

"Hey, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." She glanced at the sky, and her tone switched dramatically, as if nothing had just happened just a few short minutes ago, "The sun is already overhead. How about we go back and have our lunch?"

I nodded. There was a drop of tear in her eye; putting up her usual self wouldn't hide it.

The two of us spent our last night together on a feather-filled mattress in a wooden room, part of the living quarters. The heating was somewhat adequate, but most of the times, cold breezes can still be felt clearly on the skin. Lying on the mattress, with Astrid to my left, we indulged in small talk for some time before calling it a day.

As I was descending into my slumber, I felt something wrapping over my body from the side. I looked over: it was her arm.

"Astrid?" I tried calling for her, softly, but there was no response. It seemed like she had already fallen asleep. It didn’t take me long to notice her body had, perhaps subconsciously, pressed against my back, and she was holding me even tighter.

This feels quite cozy, I thought to myself, sinking deep into her hold. The cold, brisk winds of a wintry Oslo night didn't feel so chilly anymore, for one night. Instead, it was a sense of warmth enveloping the two of us, comforting me into sleep.

As dawn broke, reality dawned on me once again: Astrid would not be around anymore.

I accompanied Astrid to a tavern just outside of Oslo, where the caravan was scheduled to arrive. The two of us sat down on a table near the window, and while we were mostly silent, I noticed that she was fixated on me.

“You know,” said Astrid as she glanced outside at the snowy forest scene. “I’m going to miss this place.”

"I know you would.”

Immediately afterwards, her blue eyes turned back, focusing on me again. She reached for my face, toying with a lock of hair like a cat playing with its ball of yarn.

'''“I would definitely miss you too. The thrill of us sparring against one another, the nights we spent gazing stars, even just knowing that, well,..."'''

In a sudden, her hand moved downwards, and I felt a sense of softness and warmth as her palm laid above my cheek. I couldn't tell if it was the case, but I thought my face went red.

"...just knowing that every morning waking up, I would get to see you next to me, and we would get to do everything together one more time…"

As her eyes became drenched with tears, I took hold of her hand and grabbed it firmly. Then, I pulled out the dagger I always had with me and severed a lock of hair - the very one she messed around with earlier - and put it on her palm. I cannot go with her, so giving her a memento of myself is the best I could do. Something as a reminder that I am always with her.

Having been given the memento, Astrid blushed.

Aside from that, there is something else I have to tell her.

"About the confession yesterday," I uttered. "I was taken aback, so I couldn't make up my mind about what I really think about it, so I ended up rejecting it."

She nodded.

"If you don't mind… when you come back, I will tell you what I truly feel about you. Until then, I will be waiting for your return."

"I will be back one day," she said, wiping away her tears, albeit awkwardly. "I promise." Seemingly to reaffirm her words, she repeated, "I promise."

We spent some time in silence, and at some point, I started crying myself before letting go of her hand. It wasn't until the tavern's bell disrupted the quiet when we noticed a band of wagons and horses outside, which I assumed to be the trading caravan.

"Looks like they're here," Astrid said.

She hurriedly pulled something from her pocket and placed it in my hand. It was a pendant necklace with intricate decorations, and in the middle laid a shiny gemstone. It went without saying: the adornment must had been expensive.

"Before I leave, I want to give you something. I've had this pendant with me since I started studying swordsmanship. Now that I am departing, I want you to keep it as a token of our, er, friendship."

"Erm… thank you."

I took the necklace and tried it on myself.

"It looks good on you, doesn't it? Alas, I have to go now. I'll certainly see you again."

She got off her seat and gently kissed my forehead before exiting the tavern. The show of affection made my face coloured, and I was stunned for a while. I went outside just as the convoy was about to leave, and managed to spot Astrid on one of the wagons. I waved goodbye to her one last time, and witnessed as the caravan travelled eastward, disappearing over the horizon.

I glanced at the pendant necklace as it gleamed, the reflected light almost blinding me. It's a beautiful and lustrous jewel, I thought. Just like her.