The Enchantress

28.

Rowan.

It was midnight when we decided to rest from the journey. We're already midway towards kingdom of Cait.

There's something that's troubling me since we left my kingdom. I've been thinking about how to talk to the Prince the whole day. I read the message Father left for me, stating that the King said I could tell the Prince the truth and to send his apology for he wasn't able to tell him in person.

The King meant well specially he did it for the survival of his people and the kingdom. Yet I'm worried about the Prince's anger. I know the fact that he's far more stronger and faster than me. I'm afraid his anger might be the death of me. But this is my mission, so I'll face whatever the result may be. Still, I do hope he'll spare me for I'm just a soldier given a mission and like any soldier I'll do anything for his kingdom.

I saw him walking around until he enters the forest. I followed him. On the way I was thinking about Mina. That made me pray that hopefully I'll survive the night for I want to see her again.

I stopped as I saw the Prince reached the edge of the river. He sat by the rock and stared at the river for a while. I let him be for a few minutes without me moving.

I then moved towards him and when I was near he suddenly drew his sword which, by reflex, I drew mine as quickly as I could. I barely pull out my sword from it's holder but it's drawn enough to deflect his sword. He's so quick that If I wasn't quick enough too for sure I'm already dead.

When we became calm, I told him everything. But it turns out that I was the one who was surprised. He already knew and what's frustrating is that he knew since the first time we met.

Great, if my father knows about this he'll definitely scold me and make me run laps for hours. That's so embarrassing specially for me who they say the best in our kingdom. But apparently I'm not a good spy at all.

I went back to the camp light hearted. I never expected it'll be this easy. He took it well and I could breathe easily now. He really is kind, he even allowed me to return to my kingdom and come back if I wish.

I was walking towards our tent when I got startled as I heard a swoosh sound. It's as if something went past me so fast that I couldn't make up what it was. I looked around but no one was there. I was still figuring out what it was when it happened again but this time it struck a barrel on my left side. My eyes went wide when I saw It's a red feathered arrow. I immediately drew my bow and arrow while running to the nearest tent and hide.

My heart was pounding fast and loud. I tried to calm myself before taking a peek from the side of the tent. I saw a shadow through the trees. I emerged from the tent and shot an arrow towards it. I heard a thud signaling I struck my target. I was getting another arrow when I heard another swoosh. I immediately dropped down. I then heard the arrow landed on something hard in front of me.

I looked up and saw it was shot into a shield that was held by Prince Chaeyoung. He then shot an arrow to it's direction. A loud thud and grunt was heard after. We both ran towards the nearest tent for cover.

I looked at him and said: "Thanks, my Lord. You saved me again."

"Thank me later once we live through this. Wake everyone, run boy."

I immediately shouted "Intruder by the forest! Intruder by the forest!" I ran out as fast as I can, shoving my sword against the tents and shouted again. "Intruder by the forest! Move your arses! We're under attack. Intruder by the forest!"

One by one the soldiers got out. I directed some of them to follow me towards the east side. Mason came running towards us.

"Who was that lady shouting?"

I felt insulted that I looked at him about to get mad. To my surprise he was smiling. This ass of a man loves to taunt me.

"Who are they?" He looked ahead observing the forest.

"I don't know. Their arrows has red feathers. I hav..." I stopped as I saw the Prince along with Prince Momo and the other boys approaching the forest slowly forward. They're grouped together creating a wall and cover using their shields. That'll be impossible for the arrows to go through. A minute after arrows shots coming from the forest trying to penetrate their shields.

I looked at our back more of the soldiers joined us. I looked back at where the Prince were. They stopped but the arrows kept coming. They soon opened some portions then our own arrows went flying towards the forest. That's when I noticed they're observing where the enemy's arrows came from before they attacked. Clever idea, Prince Chaeyoung.

In between the shield I could see the Prince looking at me. He was giving directions for us to ran towards the forest.

"They made a distraction. Once the prince gave the signal, on my count we'll run towards the forest and attack..."

"You're in no position to lead son" Mason interrupted me looking mad.

He is right. An inexperienced soldier like me shouldn't lead.

"Sorry. Got carried away."

Mason then bursted laughing.

"Seriously? At this moment you're biting my head off?"

"Never want to miss a chance kid." He suddenly went serious staring at the Prince's group. "Once I give the signal run in groups with less noise as you can. We don't want to draw attention."

We then saw the Prince gave the signal. Mason hissed "Go!"

We were startled by his sudden command yet wwe scrambled and ran towards the forest as quietly as we can. Mason made us run by groups to not get attention. We soon advanced towards the center of the forest until we saw they're hideout.

Mason joined me. He directed half the arrows hide by the trees to cover us, while the other half stays behind us.

Mason said we'll attack on his count.

"Make sure you count this time." I said to him he just gave me a smirk.

My heart is pounding so loud and my hands began to sweat. I wiped both hands on my clothes before holding my sword again tightly. I closed my eyes for a second, took a deep breath then tune into all my senses. I told myself: 'Be alert' just like what the Prince said. I can't let him save me all the time. I opened my eyes locked on a target while glancing at Mason. You got this Rowan.

Mason nodded at me then raised his hand, its counting from 3... 2... 1...

We immediately stood and ran towards them. They were so surprised that they haven't even raised their sword. I hit my first target on his arm making him lose his grip in the sword. Men after men fell as we targeted them either on their sword arm or thighs.

The Prince and the others soon joined us seconds after we attacked. We greatly outnumbered them. We all stopped as we heard a loud voice "Stop".

It was Prince Chaeyoung, his sword by the neck of a man that appears to be of higher rank based on his uniform, possibly a general.

"Order them to lower their swords and bows." He demanded inching his sword's blade closer to his neck. The man gave the order to drop their weapons.

We took their weapons then bind them one by one before leading them out of the forest into the clearing. The general and some men were interrogated yet won't say a thing. Soldiers took turns to guard them while the others sleep.

The sudden attack caught us all off guard. The Prince scolded the general due to lack of guards stationed at night. The two Prince along with the general talked for like an hour before retiring to their beds. I was sitting outside my tent when I saw the general emerged from the Prince's tent.

A few minutes later I went inside our tent and lay on my back staring at the top of the tent. This night was exhausting yet I learned a lot. It was evident how much I lack and I need to do something about it. How embarrassing for my part to have the Prince save me twice. He really is admirable. Seconds later I passed out to sleep.