No Greater Love

Chapter Seventeen

My breathing eased slightly as the thunderous footsteps faded into the distance.

"You alright?" Alex asked looking down at my fear struck face.

"Yeah, I-I'm fine. I just...I need to warn my mother." I stated rising to my feet, "Oh, what have I done?" I asked myself frantically as I ran my fingers through my terribly tangled tresses.

"You did what you could." Alex reassured me.

"I should've known better! Alex, lord Almasa is going to destroy my kingdom and I brought it upon them!" I said firmly.

Alex looked at the ground, "Look, I know you feel like you betrayed your kingdom, but we must try and save them. We'll do whatever we can." As he said this placed both his heavy hands on my shoulders and looked into my deep blue eyes which filled with tears.

"How?" I asked as my voice cracked. " I don't know how to fight! I barely can swing a sword."

"You have courage, and that's all that matters right now." He encouraged. "Come now, we must race to your home." As he commanded this he grabbed onto a mossy root and began climbing his way up.

"Courage..." I muttered.

This reminded me of the voice in my dream--the Lord God Almighty. If He is real, I thought,  then He will be with me. Before long I grabbed a thick root and began the difficult climb up.

Alex was waiting for me, perched on an decaying stump, when I finally stood upon the solid earth. The wet grass was a drastic, and very welcome, change to the hard stone castle of lord Almasa's. The air was delightfully fresh as I took in a deep breath and turned to Alex and said authoritatively, "Let's go."

"There's my girl!" He laughed. "Come on now, we don't have much time." 

Again we began our race to the kingdom. We splashed through muddy plains and stumbled down rocky hills. Soon, clambering through the thick woods, we came to a clearing where a wide fresh-water stream flowed over a bed of smooth rocks. My entire face lit up as I ran to it and filled my mouth with the desired liquid. Alex and I splashed our faces clean with the water and sadly, soon had to begin again. 

"We ought to get going," Alex stated as he wiped his mouth clean with the edge of his frayed sleeve. 

"Yeah-" Before I could go on a rustling arose from behind a bush tucked by a tree nearby. Alex pulled from his worn leather belt a small dagger in haste. I rested my hand on his in warning and nodded for him to look again, for I noticed a small black tail flick in the air. Soon, the creature's head poked out--a black cat, with a white muzzle and green eyes. 

"Peppercorn!" I cried. She, meowing in reply, bounded over to me and began rubbing her furry back on my crouched body. "Oh, Pepper I missed you." I sighed and I began scratching behind her torn ear. 

Alex waited patiently smiling at my excitement, but soon sighed, "Victoria..." He hinted. 

"I know, I know...we must go." I replied hesitantly. 

After hugging Peppercorn once more I released her from my embrace and she daintily walked away, pattering at the damp earthy floor with her white paws. 

"Come home soon," I whispered. Waving goodbye. 

I sighed as I hopped back up off the river bank and began running once more across the uneven terrain. After a while, Alex turned and called, "We'll stop at my house and grab some provisions. I'm sure you're starving."

"Yeah," I panted. My stomach growled as if on cue. 

Suddenly, in the midst of thick woods, Alex stopped dead in his tracks and held out his arm to halt me as well. I, confused, look at his intent face as he took a deep whiff of the air. I did the same. Unfortunately, the smell of smoke fill my nostrils and the sound of men's cheering filled my ears.

Oh no! I resolved, They must've reached the kingdom already! I looked at Alex with wide eyes and he, in turn, pointed behind a enormously thick tree near the site of the smoke.  "Hide behind there," He directed. 

Quickly we raced up the leafy hill and plastered our bodies to the side of the tree. Alex peered behind the tree and swiftly returned with dissapointment in his eyes.

"What is it?" I whispered.

"They've burnt down my tree. You know, the one I took you to when we first ate together?"

"Oh..." I muttered. "Yeah, I remember."

I then added, "Well, there's only one thing to do."

"Go to your house." He agreed. 

"Yes, but we must hurry. I want to have enough time to get there before Almasa does."

"Well then, what are you waiting for?" 

"Lead the way!" I declared swooping my arm, gesturing him to do so. 

He smiled and darted from tree to tree, hoping to to be seen or heard by Almasa or his men. 

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The sun was beginning to set on the horizon when the walls of the kingdom of Perelis came into view. 

"Alex!" I panted, "There it is." 

Together we quickened our pace and darted to its walls. My legs throbbed with pain for we had been running for several hours. 

"There's a hidden door by the left wing." I stated. 

Peeling back the ivy which had overgrown upon the oaken door, I reached for the circular pull handle. I jerked the handle but I was no use. "Alex, help." I ordered. "As you wish," He smiled and pushed the door open with ease. I laughed at my ignorance and the builder's cleverness. 

"You'd think I'd know these things." I puffed, closing the thick door. Alex simply smiled. 

"She's back!" The man in the belfry shouted. "The princess is back!"  In  response, a loud cheering of my people arose. A flood of citizens poured into town square, lined by tall stone houses. I smiled and waved, but was ashamed of my ragged state. 

Emerging from the crowd was a lady, a wonderfully gorgeous lady with rich brown hair  cascading over her shoulders. Her silken pale yellow dress, trimmed with three bows on the bodice and lace on the fringes, swished with her long strides. Her long drooping sleeves enveloped her slender arms as she held her arms outsretched. Her brown eyes filled with tears as she whimpered, "My dear Tori..." 

My eyes filled with tears as I ran hastily into her arms, "Mummy!" Together we sobbed in happiness, "I've missed you so much! Oh mother," I cried out. 

"Shhh, I know, I know. I thought you had died. I'm so glad you've returned my darling, darling girl." As she said this she stroked her smooth hand along my matted hair. 

"Darling, you're hair! What have I told you about not brushing your hair?" She said quite startled. 

"Oh mother, you have no idea, where I've been."  I smiled, wiping away the many tears. 

(c) doveseyes 2015