The Arcana

Strategy

AT FIRST I felt relief upon seeing the familiar bashful smile that Joshua kept so easily on his face. But then my relief washed away to frustration, anxiety, and confusion. I let out an annoyed breath of air as I just glared at his hunched figure. He was cradling his hand when we both heard the sound of rustling leaves. He suddenly reached out and grabbed my arm pulling me with him behind some massive bushes. Unfortunately the branches were laced with barbs and thorns and so any way we moved we were bruttaly cut. So, uncomfortably we sat face to face, close together and waiting for the person to pass. As soon as the foot-falls passed our spot I nervously glanced Josh's way and made a gesture as if to see if the person had left. He slightly nodded his assent and then looked regretful as he was cut in a thousand places by those retched thorns.

I slowly (and painfully) stretched my way up and made the sign that it was clear. Stepping out of the brush I quickly and stealthly made my way to the edge of the forrest and hid myself behind a massive oak tree. I needed to know who had passed by our way before going back to Josh. I couldn't risk anything at this point, so much was already at risk. Just as I was wondering what had happened to the intruder I noticed Damien hurriedly stepping away from the shadows of the forrest and quietly returning to his post at the Kings tent.

I curssed under my breath and sprinted back to where I saw Josh brushing off as many leaves from his attire as he could. I grimly wondered about my own appearance but I had no time to be embarressed as I knew my time was running out and Death would look for me soon.

"Josh what happened to you? Why are you disguised as a soldier in Death's army? Don't you know the risks of being so close to him?!" And me I thought to myself. He seemed surprised by my quiet outburst but quickly adapted and held a mellow anad composed face as he heard me ramble on. Finally after I was done ranting and questioning him to the third degree he confidently responded.

"You know you have this certain appeal to you Annabelle. It keeps people coming back to your side, not by friendship, but by necessity. It's like losing you really could mean something disasterous, ever since I've been with you I could see your true potential as a great leader." Shocked I could only stand there, mouth slightly agape at his random statement. But seeing my facial expression Josh was not deterred because he resumed explainging why he was here.

"While you were gone I knew I had to help you so I went on ahead and followed closely by some lingering soldiers. When one of them went to the bushes to uh relieve himself I struck and here I am of the royal regime!" He actually seemed pretty proud of himself the little devil.

"So I quickly changed and stuck to the back and those idiots never noticed. After we got to camp you and the King arrived shortly after and I made sure to keep in your line of sight so you would know you were not alone. After you were taken to the King's tent I followed him to the councils quarters and listened in to find out to my surprise that you are a very wanted woman Annabelle." He said that last part knowingly and I couldn't help but to think back on the group of Arcana who want to kill me and I shivered despite the warm weather. Joshua noticed but kept on anyways.

"They sounded like they knew what they were talking about and the King especially made it seem like he knew this for a while. So I figured the best plan was to stick around here with the calvary until some fighting ensued and then I had plans for you and I to split under all the chaos that way know would know when we left and where we were going."

I thoughtfully took in everything he was saying and could not deny that what he was saying made sense. His plan was logical and to the point without too many messy vartiables to deter the mission. So I simply nodded my head and bit my lip, dep in thought. Everything sounded perfect but the only thing keeping me from saying yes was a mysterious and brute man...

Seeming to guess my thoughts Josh suddenly looked to me with a question in his eyes. "He didn't hurt you did he? I was so worried all night that the King would try to... well, force himself on you that I could barely restrain myself from giving up my station and running to your aid. I know you can handle yourself Annabelle its just sometimes..." He ran a hand through his hair and looked away nervously. Somberly I told him that I was oerfectly fine and 'intact' that the King did not in fact lay a hand on me that night. What a perfect gentlemen I make him out to be, I mentally scolded myself. I sighed and figured it was about time to go back to camp.

"Josh I need you to promise to stay hidden and at camp. Do not leave by yourself to go anywhere even if it is to do some investigative work. It's too dangerous to go out with the group out targeting me. They probably know that we are traveling together and they will do anything to get to me." My voice was hard and unyeilding to the command I gave him. Joshua was probably the closest thing to a friend I would ever have and I couldn't bare it if something happened to him. Seeing the emotion in my eyes must have told him enough because he nodded and quitely agreed to my terms.

Relieved I let out a breat I didn't know I was holding, I seemed to be doing this a lot, and bid him goodbye and safe tidings as I made my way back to Death's lair. I walked around towards the back of camp so that I may secretly slip in through a blind spot. I easily avoided any contact from any soldiers and glided inside the back of Death's tent without any problems. Frowning to myself I made a mental note to tell Death that his soldiers were not properly guarding the perimeters.

I sat down heavily in a satin chair and held my head in my hands. I suddenly felt so tired, I just wanted to lead a simple and free life and so much had happened since that fateful night. I was begining to wonder if it would ever be possible for me to gain a normal life when Death strode through the tent flap. I sighed and picked my head up to acknowledge his presence. I guess not, I sourly thought to myself. With a frown on his face he set down his sword that was attatched to his hilt and looked at me anxiously. Just then I realized I was probably a sight since I never changed or tidied myself up from my adventure in the forrest.

"Please do not question me today, I am not in the mood." I placed my head on the table and looked at him through slanted eyes. All I wanted to do was just sleep and never wake up from this nightmare, just dream for an endless eternity.

"Very well I will not question you, for the moment." I sighed, I guess that was the best I was going to get from him and at least it would by me some time to think of an excuse as for my unkept appearance. Keeping my face to the table I called out to him.

"What news do you bring from the council about my assailants and their positions?" But just as I finished my sentence all Hell broke loose once again and I found myself in another dire situation. The sound of surprised yells and battles broke out everywhere around the tent and Death scrambled to regain his sword into his hands. Surprised I could only stare at him with eyes filled with fear.

"Wait here Creature until I come for you. I mean it, do not under any circumstance leave this tent or I will be very displeased." I just nodded dumbly and watched as he quickly strode out the tent to battle. And that was it, that was all I saw of Death, becasue he never came back inside that tent ever again like he promised.

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So the picture is not the official tarot version of the Empress but I thought it looked super cool so here it is :)

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