To Save a Kingdom

Chapter 21

"How long?" I asked at the same time that Jared said.

"Get inside." He was staring at me daring me to argue with him. "Eve just go inside the castle with the others. Stay safe." He pleaded with me.

To his surprise I obeyed. I nodded then turned and went inside. Inside was chaos. People were running all around with the word 'war' on their lips. Children were crying as their mothers herded them into empty rooms. The news had spread like wildfire. Some were in shock while others stood defiant holding onto whatever they believed they could use as a weapon. These were the women that were prepared to fight for their lands.

"Is it true?"

I turned to see Liddy with a scrap of paper in her hand. She looked absolutely devastated.

"Yes it is." I told her. I was surprised by her actions.

"Oh Eve!" she cried throwing her arms around my shoulders. "I was going to plan the perfect wedding for you. It was going to be beautiful." she said wiping tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. "You were going to be the most beautiful bride." She whimpered as she crumpled up the paper in her hands.

"Everyone would have been too busy looking at you anyways." I said trying to cheer her up.

She gave me a weak but brave smile.

"Just because it won't be happening soon doesn't mean it won't happen at all. You will have so much more time to plan now."

She cheered slightly at my words. Then she nodded and walked away unfolding the paper in her hands as she walked.

I set to work preparing the castle. The women that were prepared to fight were given assignments while the others were left in charge of the children. Families were moved up into the upper levels away from the ground floor. They couldn't be killed if they couldn't be found. The castle was searched for any possible weapons. Fire pokers and table legs were gathered. Knives from out of the kitchen were dispersed. By the time everyone had a weapon or was hidden away night had fallen.

I wanted to put on my armor but that would raise too many suspicions. When Jared came in to check on us his eyebrows shot up.

"What's all this for?" He asked motioning to the almost empty rooms. Furniture had been moved to form barricades.

"Just a precaution." I told him.

"There's absolutely nothing to worry about Theo's men won't breech the castle walls." He said convincingly. I wasn't sure if it was for his benefit or my own.

"And when they don't then you can say 'I told you so.' But if they do then we will be prepared for what is coming our way."

He shook his head but he was smiling. He reached forward and seized a piece of hair that had fallen in my face. For a few seconds he rubbed it between his fingers then tucked it behind my ear. "It's almost time for us to lock the doors." He said. I knew he wanted to say goodbye to me before the battle began. "Eve we can survive this. We will survive this."

I wanted to believe him but I couldn't.

"I'll see you when it's all over." He said then he turned and started to walk away. That was when reality dawned on me that this might be the last time I ever saw him. I couldn't bear the thought.

"Wait!" I cried and rushed to him. When he turned around to face me I flung my arms around his neck and crushed my lips to his. There was a lot of people in the room with us but they didn't matter. We stood there for a few minutes clinging to each other. When a throat cleared we finally pulled apart. I was sure I looked as though I had been thoroughly kissed but that didn't matter. All that mattered was how we felt. "I love you." I whispered to him while I tried to commit everything about this moment to memory.

"And I love you." He whispered with his forehead against mine.

The sound of the battle horn interrupted. "I have to go." He said reluctantly. When his arms slipped from my waist I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck and kissed him once again. "Are you trying to convince me to stay?" He asked.

"Is it working?"

"A little too well." He chuckled then with one last quick kiss I watched him leave closing the door and locking it firmly behind him.

I rushed to the window that had been boarded shut. In the small slit between the boards I could see torches burning out in the darkness. There were hundreds of them. Thousands even. So many torches that they seemed to create a blanket of fire across the land. I had just sent Jared. My Jared out into that.

'Please' I prayed. 'Keep him safe.' Then I raced to the armory. If I hurried I could have my armor on before the final door was shut and locked.

Securing every piece into place I then slung my bow and a quiver over my shoulder. There was a small chance that I could find a place to shoot from that would be far enough away from hand to hand combat. There I might have a chance. I hefted my sword and carried it with me just in case.

Then with my helmet on mu head I slipped out the door just as a soldier came to lock the door.

"All clear?" he asked.

"All clear." I confirmed.