"I stand before you a Commander, but also a fellow warrior. I will fight beside you and I will proudly die beside you if that is what the fates decide."  

  Her body was majestic. A mysterious aura surrounded her like a cape, draped over her face like a veil. She was a mystery to all who met her and a threat to all those who dare oppose her. She was the ultimate weapon, the highly sought after ally and an undesirable foe. She was completely indefinable yet completely available.

She was the most feared woman that would ever walk the earth. She beheld a sword at a young age. Her original stature was that of a slave girl, nothing more, but an elder chose to train her in secret. She trained for many years of her life leading up to the day she became of age.

The woman's skillset was unmatched by any man in her village. She challenged each man to singular combat, each one falling to the ground in complete defeat. She fought in many raids to earn her freedom to which she was granted. She earned her place as the Commander of the finest Navy the East had.

She was far from her expected stature of Shield Maiden, for that was not the place she wished to behold. She was born to lead. Her trainer had always reminded her of that. She was far more powerful than she could even understand at her age, but yet she kept her head clear and her focus set.

For she was the fiercest warrior the East had and she was prepared to conquer all that opposed her nation.

The young woman turned to the legion standing behind her, each one standing poised and ready for her commands. She steps forwards and bends down. She studies the earth beneath her, the soil of the East nation, her home. She beckoned forwards her handmaiden. The young maiden carried forward a bowl of charcoal from the village fire. The coal pieces were ground into a fine powder.

The warrior commander took the bowl from the young maiden and thanked her. She took the charcoal and set in down on the ground beside her. She digs her hands into the soft, fertile soil and places it into the bowl. Once she has mixed together the components, she stands to her feet and walks to the edge of the water.

She dips the bowl cautiously into the water and swiftly pulls it out when there was enough water to make a thick malleable mixture. Once she has mixed the elements together, she dips her fingers into the mixture and smears the mixture onto her face. She places two strokes down her left side, tracing over her eyes and cheek. She places two strokes on her temples and follows the curves of her cheekbones to form a moon-like pattern. She then takes her fingers and trails them over her lips and down her throat.

Once her face has been painted for battle, she washes the dish in the water once more and hands it back to her handmaiden. Her eyes study the infinite waters that lay in front of her. She admires the sizes of the waves, the condition of the sky and the colour of the water. She then turns back around to face her troops once more, taking a deep breath before beginning to speak.

"You have heard of the tales of the waters of the South," She speaks, her voice clear and fluent. "You have heard of the wealth that the Englishmen harbour and the rich soil that lies underneath their feet. You have heard of the seas and the ferocious turmoil faced when taking the journey to this foreign land, and you fear what lies in the mist of the unknown."

She paces the lines of troops, her movement slow and meaningful, each step carefully planned and executed. Her long cape flows behind her, the exquisite black material engraved with her village's ancient script is taken with the wind and sails behind her.

"But you must fear not, my brethren," She shouts. "For the land we stand on is one that is firm and unmoving. We stand together joined together by fire, soil and water. The elements are with us, as our ancestors before us confirmed. We are a nation that is one. We are a nation that is powerful. We are the unmoving force that conquers. The force that is feared. The force that is not afraid of a valiant death, for what else is there to fear but our own power?"

The legion shouts in unison, a unanimous uproar of agreement echoes across the group.

"I stand before you a Commander, but also a fellow warrior. I will fight beside you and I will proudly die beside you if that is what the fates decide."

The Commander steps forwards onto the bay that holds the legions of battleships and steps onto the side of the commanding ship.

"As we prepare for this raid, I bid you to remember the words of our forefathers. Fear nothing.  Survive. Conquer."

The crowd uproars once more, each man and woman poised and filled with pride for the journey ahead. The Commander feels satisfaction in her speech. She feels pride in the legion she had hand-picked and joined together to make an undefeatable force. She stands before her riling troops, head held high and her body filled with anticipation of the raid that lies over the unfamiliar waters.

"Arm yourselves and say farewell to your love ones, for this journey will be long but one that reaps many rewards." The Commander steps into her ship and takes a knee. She looks out over the deep blue waters, the wind whipping her hair about at its will. She closes her eyes and inhales the unmistakeable scent of the ocean and sets free the breath.

"Commander," Her second-in-command, Brunhild interjects. "The ships are armed, full and the men are ready to begin the voyage."

The Commander keeps her eyes closed and she takes on last breath. "Then let not waste time."

Her eyes open and she casts them to the skies. The ominous clouds loom over the seas ahead of them. "Make haste, Brunhild and prepare the gear for launch, for I feel a storm brewing."

She stands before the storm and spreads her arms. "My name is Torhyl Firesyghs, daughter of Arnthorr Firesyghs of the Eastern tribe of Raugerrook and I stand before you beckoning for safe passage."

The breeze once again picks up, its icy claws tear at her skin, almost taunting her to proceed.

"Is it safe to proceed, Commander?" Brunhild asks, her voice low and uncertain.

"It is never safe, Brunhild," Torhyl responds, lowering her arms and turning to her subordinate. "For we are at the hands of the sea, we are completely helpless to its wishes and that is something that not even prophecies can foresee."