For Her

8. Run

"Boss!"

"What?" Rob snapped, wiping his sore knuckles from cutting down some wood for the campfire and glaring at the scouts he'd sent out. His eyes fell upon the slumped figure laid against the ground her back to the tree and despite laid flat on her side, she was glaring at him with stark anger. It was so cute she could think she was terrifying at all.

"We saw Remdragon Knights."

Midahas froze, tensing slightly as he glared at the suddenly brightened, smug figure and glowered at his scouts, snapping furiously. "What?"

"We saw three of them pass in the distance!"

"What the-" Rob stammered furiously but gritted his teeth in his own anger. He thought he had a massive headstart but seemingly not. "We leave camp before dawn! We need to get to the town before they find their Lord! We need the higher ground-"

A soft snort drew his attention and he sighed, his posture growing lax as he turned to the woman who eyed him daringly, despite the rag covering her mouth and her hands and feet bound. "Is there something you want to say, my lady?"

Maxi's eyes burned as she glared the coward, she had to be strong and confident. You don't ever take your eye off the predator. Rob grinned wickedly, approaching her and crouching in front of her, he casually removed the gag and sneered as he pinched her chin. "Then speak, let me hear words of wisdom from a lady-"

"Y-you will l-learn...once and for all, w-what it means t-to cross Riftan Calypse." Maxi raised her chin stubbornly at him. He just watched as she spoke as best as she could, trying to not let her tongue shake. "He g-gr-granted you m-mercy before and n-now you l-lost that chance. So, f-for your sake,"

"My sake." He murmured, his face unnervingly blank and Maxi didn't falter, keeping her voice calm and cold as she could.

"Release me! N-Now!"

He just blinked slowly at her, the silence apart from the crackling fire and the men all around either bored or watching with interest made Maxi's nerves spike but she didn't dare show it. Or she so hoped it wasn't showing. Rob was staring far off in her direction, his hand casually slipping into his belt and with a bone chilling hiss, he withdrew a sharp, curved dagger, running his finger over the edge with a thoughtful gaze.

"For your sake, my lady," His voice was unnaturally soft and then send goosebumps down her spine. Suddenly with a casual flick, he laid the tip of his knife against her throat, rolling the sharp edge ever so slightly, as if seeking a way to bury the knife in. Maxi's heart thundered frantically in her chest. "I would suggest you keep you tongue silent, or I'll cut it for you." With a grin he leaned in closer, ignoring Maxi's flinch as he whispered darkly in her ear. "Maybe you should pray your husband's sake."

With that, he pulled away, grinning down at her-

Only to grab her throat and slam her back against the tree. Maxi yelped, panic rising high as she tensed, her eyes burning as her throat ached as he squeezed tightly but not enough to prove lethal. "And that stutter of yours, still unbecoming of a lady. If you wish to speak, you may never do so once I'm through with you."

He finally released her neck, chuckling as he left her reeling in horror and terror as the words spun in her head with fright.

I need to get away! Now! Riftan will come for me! But I need to get away.

Watching the bandits gather around the campfire, her stomach rumbled painfully as she watched eerily, her mouth set as the gag was placed over her mouth again and her back ramrod straight against the tree, her determination spiking.