Forced into Fantasy

Chapter 5 - Courage

I felt the weight of the powerful impact as I connected with the water's harsh surface and the chill of the icy water as it enveloped me, sending my body into a temporary form of shock. My ears were ringing as I opened my eyes deep down beneath the water and then the instinct to breathe suddenly kicked in.

I needed to get up to the surface and fast!

Both my arms and legs worked in unison to pull me upwards until I finally broke through and took a deep breath of oxygen into my lungs, filling them completely.

Oh my god, did I really just do that?

As I continued to tread water in the mercilessly choppy open ocean I glanced up to see how far I'd come and couldn't believe the distance I'd just jumped from and somehow managed to survive! I couldn't be sure of course but it had to be something like fifty meters or so. I must be insane!

"Ha!" I couldn't help but shout as realised just how lucky I'd been.

-

Adomis;

I was on my way to consult with the Mage about the amulet I had found when several soldiers came running toward me, their expressions showing nothing but concern and shock as they tried to speak while clearly out of breath.

"My lord... one of the women... has escaped!" the shorter soldier reported urgently. "We found the soldiers escorting her unconscious... at the bottom of a staircase. She's just vanished!"

"The brunette or the blonde?" I didn't realise I had asked this specific question until the words slipped out of my mouth and formed the sentence.

They both looked at each other, then replying.

"Er... the blonde I believe sire."

My heart sank as I closed my eyes for a moment to hide my frustration. I pursed my lips tightly together as my fists curled tightly down by my sides.

SERIOUSLY! It had to be her...

"So find her!" I boomed back at them through gritted teeth. "Put the entire castle on high alert until she is located. No one enters or exits through the castle gates unless I say so!"

"Yes my lord!" the other soldier beside him replied, nodding as they both turned to leave. But my words caused them to pause in their place.

"Ensure she is brought to me alive, understood?" I added.

They nodded in unison and marched away on their newest mission; to find the escaped maiden and bring her to me.

Amidst all of the chaos caused by the search I suddenly heard several soldiers calling out from a nearby balcony and decided to take a look at what all the commotion was about. I could hear several voices speaking as I stepped out onto the balcony.

"How did she survive the fall?" one of the soldiers enquired, seemingly shocked as he leaned over the edge of the stone railing of the balcony.

My eyes were narrow as I marched across the length of the balcony and pushed the two soldiers in the centre aside, stepping up to peer down over the edge of the railing.

No, no, no... That's impossible!

The soldier to my left decided to give me an update on their current situation as I stood peering over with disbelief.

"My lord, the girl... she just jumped!" he exclaimed.

"What?" I spat through gritted teeth and narrowed eyes, "From here?"