The Prince of Ilios

Ninety

Alyn supported her as they snuck around the stables to the side gate. He looked to the right. They were too exposed here and there were too many guards. Once they heard that Cyrus was dead, he and Ellora were certain to be hunted down for treason. One thing Alyn had learned was that Cyrus' guards were loyal to a fault.

Ellora squinted up at him, "Your eye is black, what happened?"

"I had to get into the dungeons somehow." He shrugged looking to the left, "I started throwing fists, one of the others got the better of me before they dragged me down. You aren't looking too good yourself." He noted her torn dress, ruffled hair, scuffed elbows and a bruised shoulder.

"We can't all be as good as you, brother." She tripped over her own feet as they moved a small distance further.

Three guards rounded the corner unexpectedly, even they were startled to see Alyn and Ellora. The one at the front reacted first, drawing his sword.

Alyn let go of Ellora, meeting him quickly for hand to hand combat, "We must preserve our strength, don't use your element carelessly."

Ellora nodded. She raised her fists, though she was sure that with one swing the guard in front of her could take her out. Her vision blurred as he swung his spear. It caught her foot, tripping her. She landed on her bum. He pointed it at her throat. She clung to her strength as she grabbed the spear with one hand, rounded it behind her arm and pulled herself to her feet. The guard was off balance, and all she had to do was swing. He tumbled to the ground in return, releasing the spear. She leaned on it.

"Into the forest!" Alyn yelled to her. He was fighting the other two. She started to make her way. It was about a hundred feet in the distance. Her ears started to tone out everything around her. All she could hear was the sound of her own heartbeat in her ears. Her aching back and legs flared as her adrenaline dissipated. She did not even hear Alyn as he yelled something about her watching out. She registered the words too late, as she turned, she was struck to the ground by the third guard. Ellora turned over to stare her killer in the face. The burly man raised the sword in his arms. She did not dare to look away. His face twisted at her scrutiny and he hesitated.

Just as he had regained his composure, an arrow pierced his temple. Ellora watched him fall to his knees, only in agony for a moment, and then to the ground lifeless. She looked in the direction the arrow came from. Nicola sat on his horse, lowering his bow. He rode forward, jumping off, he came to her. A group of soldiers in gray moved on at his commands.

"Nicola?" Ellora was not sure if the person she saw was even real. It could have been a massive hallucination, or another dream. She may still wake at any moment, only to find herself back in those deep red satin sheets, locked in Cyrus' castle.

His strong arms wrapped around her, "I'm here! My guards are moving as we speak. Where is Cyrus?"

"Dead." She murmered, "I think."

Nicola pushed back from her, taking her face in his hands, and searching her eyes, an incredulous look on his face, "You think?" He wiped the smudges of dirt off her cheeks with his thumbs. Her eyes were so dull, and her face hollow. His anger mounted, "Where? I need to see it!"

"He's dead, Nicola. I saw her kill him with my own eyes."

"Her- you?" His face turned to concern.

Ellora nodded slowly.

"We need to go. She's in danger." Alyn interrupted before Nicola could continue, "The others are waiting in the forest for us."

Nicola nodded, only sparing a momentary glance toward his own horse, "Let's go." He picked Ellora up. To his surprise she did not even protest.

They ran into the forest. Alyn gave a sheer whistle. The sound of a morning dove echoed in return. They followed the sound until they came upon the four others. Nicola grimaced, "Where are the others?"

"Dead." Nissa responded softly.

"We're the only ones left." Tiara replied.

Nicola breathed, the priority was getting further from the castle, while his guards cleaned up the mess, then he would return. He glanced down at Ellora, still dazed, "Let's continue then." He looked to Alyn, who had apparently created this plan, "Where to next?"

"We need to find a shelter." Alyn replied, he hugged Ava tightly.

"I know just the place." Nicola started off. The others followed, "Nadia is waiting in a house in the village. She is tending to the injured there. We will go there." Ava and Alyn helped River to walk along the path. It was clear that she had been sick for a long time. Nicola had known that it would be bad. He had led a few rescue missions while in the military, you never knew what you would find. All he could do was live in the moment, he would process it all later. They made their way under branches and over fallen trees to the path. His men had already cleared the village of Vatra's soldiers, the castle was the only place left. He didn't think that he would have to worry about such a thing, until a soldier stepped into the middle of his path, smiling.

"Out of the way or die Vatra!" Nicola called.

The soldier looked at Ellora concerned, but raised his hands in surrender.

Alyn cleared the last set of trees, his voice called in a friendly tone, "Vincent!" He passed by Nicola and clapped the soldier on the back.

Nicola walked forward hesitantly.

Alyn turned back, "Thanks for taking such good care of my sister. You did your job well. We could never have done it without your help."

"Who is this?" Nicola stood a few feet away.

"This is Vincent, he's a friend."

Ellora's soft touch met his face, "Put me down, Nicola, I owe him my thanks."

Nicola slowly lowered her to the ground. She walked shakily over to Vincent and gave him a hug, and a thank you. Vincent smiled down at her in response. They almost looked picturesque. Nicola's fists clenched. He stomped over to the two of them and offered Vincent his hand, "Nicola of Ilios, You have my thanks."

Vincent ended the hug with Ellora and shook his hand, "It was nothing, Prince Nicola."

Nicola looked down at Ellora, she still looked exhausted, "We must be going." He picked her back up. She nodded softly. After only a mile, her head bobbed slowly with each of his steps as she slept soundly in his arms.

The small group made their way slowly through the forest to the village. They entered a back alley and climbed the back stairs into the house where Nadia was staying.