No Greater Love

Chapter Sixteen

"Just, give me a minute to think it over..." I begged as my mind raced. 

"There is no time!" He bellowed. "I've given you time and yet you still persist. I will not wait any longer! Answer. My. Question." At this he drew his dagger. 

My breath quickened as I stated, "Th-The gold. Its under the castle."

Almasa grinned his evil yellowed smile and raised his dagger. "Thank you for your service, princess." He sneered. 

      I screamed, expecting my life to end in seconds. But instead of a knife to the heart I was bulldozed over by someone. "Come on Victoria!" A voice I knew all too well cried out. After hearing the sound of a knife clattering on the stone ground, I quickly heaved myself up and darted for the doorway with my savior--Alex. 

"Don't just stand there!" Almasa screamed, "Get them!" 

I didn't stop to look back I ran for all I was worth. We ran through hallways, into rooms, through doors, through more hallways; I was simply following Alex. The blonde headed ruffian who's heart was made of gold. He looked back as he ran through a long hallway and smiled, crinkling his freckled nose and showing his heart melting dimples. I must admit I missed him. But then was not the time to admire. 

"Through this gate!" He cried, pointing to a black iron gate letting a floodgate of grey light shine through the holes. 

He quickly undid the latch as the sound of roaring men crescendoed. Finally, It was undone and we splashed through the muddy, splotchy grass outside the castle walls. 

"Through the woods, come on!" Alex ordered as he grabbed my hand and pulled me forward. "Come on! I have a hiding spot."  All I could do was nod as we ran, dodging trees, thick roots, and vines. I could still hear thousands of men crying out,  "After them!" 

To my dismay, we came to the edge of a cliff. "Alex!" I cried. For down below was tall shapr rocks. 

"I know, I know, Come here." He reassured me. Near the edge of the cliff was a tree, whose roots grew long down for about ten feet down the rocky side of the cliff. Alex grabbed onto one of the moss covered roots and began climbing down. Soon he dissapeared right into the cliff! "Alex?" 

He poked his head out of a cave inside the cliff. "Come on!" 

I followed swiftly into the cave as the sound of feet were heard thundering towards us. I huddled next to Alex's warm, yet ragged body as the thunderous feet stopped right above us. Alex motioned my to 'Shh', but of course I wasn't going to even dare speak a word. 

"You fools!" I heard Almasa roar. "How dare you let them escape."

The men emitted mutterings of, "I didn't see them even go this way", "I didn't lose them, Richard did.", "It wasn't me!" were dispered throughout the group. 

"Silence!" He ordered. "You Richard, come here." 

A silence. And then a shove off the edge. I held my hand firmly against my mouth. Oh my goodness, Richard! But it, of course, was no use, for Richard was gone and Almasa didn't care. "To the kingdom! I nice hoard of gold would be nice rtight about now." He laughed. "Kill all and have no mercy," he ordered.