Violent Heart

Chapter Five

        Violet poked him with the edge of the dagger, “take me to my horse, and be quick about it.” She gripped him by the shoulder, steadying herself as he moved forward, making sure to maintain a light pressure with the edge of the blade.

        “Try anything, and I’ll show you no mercy,” Violet hardened her voice; the pain in her leg had made her bitter. Nevertheless, she stayed alert, keeping an eye out for anyone who might have heard her screams. They walked with the wagon to their left, passing by two large stallions, who paid them no heed.

        Petey led her to a small clearing on the right, where three mounts stood grazing. The mare was tied a little further away from the other two, still carrying Violet’s sack. Upon noticing the girl, Daisy raised her head, letting out a soft snort in greeting. Violet gave her neck a quick pat, and took a moment to think about her next course of action; she knew not to turn her back on Petey. Hence, she tried binding him in place as she did so earlier, however it didn’t work this time; she was far too weak. ‘How am I supposed to climb Daisy? I need both my hands.’

        Abruptly, Violet swung to the direction of the nearby trees, observing silently, until she was able to spot the running boy. “Oh Arthur, good timing.”

        He reached them panting, took one look at Petey, before placing a palm on the old man’s shoulder, who gasped collapsing instantly.

        Violet stared at the unconscious man at her feet, “what did you do to him?”

        “Never mind tha’, Jack’s on my trail,” he spoke as he untied Daisy; the cuffs on his wrists were gone, “we need to get out of here.”

        Needing no further insistence, Violet put the leather grip of the dagger between her teeth, grabbed on to saddle, and pulled her self up onto the mare. A spell of dizziness instantly took over her, it must have been from the loss of blood; her dress was soaking in the fluid, and her leg was slowly turning numb. Remembering what her uncle once mentioned, she put her right palm on the wound, slowly applying pressure; she hoped it would be enough to reduce the blood flow.

        Violet pulled on the reins with her left hand, steering Daisy to the roadside, the cuffs were hindering her movements; still, she was able to manage. She watched as Arthur untied both stallions, and slapped one on the buttock, who reared back before galloping into the woods. He leapt onto the other before joining Violet, “we don’t need anyone following us,” he explained.

        Arthur rode in front of her, guiding her in the direction opposite of the wagon, “come on, we need to lead them away from Cat.”

        They trotted onto the road, steadily increasing their pace until they reached a full gallop. Violet kept turning back, looking out for anyone on their trail, especially Jack. She hoped Cat had made it out okay; the girl had assured them that she was familiar with these roads, as her family frequented them while travelling to Swynford and back. Apparently her words were enough to convince Arthur that she’d be all right, Violet, on the other hand, couldn’t help but worry over her. For Lochton was at least half a day away, and Cat was only a child.

        Arthur kept up the pace for quite a while before slowing down, until they were both trotting side by side.

        “Wot in the ‘ell ‘appened to you?!”

        Violet turned to see him staring at her soaked dress, eyes wide like saucers. Taking the dagger out of her mouth, she answered him, “oh, this is Pete’s work. Don’t worry though, I don’t think it’s that deep.” Arthur looked at her like she had gone mad, “you need to get tha’ cleaned up, follow me will ye,” he veered his mount to the left.