Beautiful Bride

Writing exercise based off the song "Beautiful Bride" by Flyleaf

Strengthen your arms now
Train your fingers for battle
Urgency's here now
Train your fingers for battle

“You are dead certain? Can nothing I say change your mind?”

Kallah tightened the strap on her arm guard. She flexed her fingers and rotated her arm in a short circle. Hand tailored for her, the armour fit like a second skin.

“Kallah, please,”

She met Ezekiel’s eyes. Fear lay across his face and made him appear small, not at all like the warrior he was.

“Consider again what you are doing.” Desperation lent intensity to his quiet entreaty.

She had considered. And feared and fought and doubted. What words were left to say? “I am showing our people that there is hope.” She said as firmly as she could. She glanced up to where dawn light slipped through a tower window.

Propriety forgotten, Ezekiel took her shoulders and turned her back to face him. He shook her as if to punctuate his words, ““But there is no hope!” For a moment only his harsh breathing sounded in the hall. Then, although she had offered no reproof, he dropped his hands abruptly from her shoulders and turned away. Hot red flushed his cheeks but his voice returned to its previous volume, “Not even a fool’s hope… Kallah, you must not do this.”

“I have made my choice, Ezekiel,” She put a hand on his shoulder, “please, I would not have us part in anger.”

Ezekiel shrank back from her, shaking his head. When he spoke again, his voice shook as well, “I would not have us part at all.” He looked as though he might cry but forced a laugh instead, “I knew it was useless to try and dissuade you. Stubborn as your father.” He backed away from her. In the dim light, she could still see him swallow hard when he stopped near the doorway. “Farewell, princess.” His words fell hollow to the tiled floor and seemed to shatter there. He was gone before she could reply.