The Enchantress

36.

Princess Mina.

We started around mid-day on our way to the mountain of Kion.  We emerged from the forest so we could now see it from the distance. We walked along the vast clearing. Halfway on it there we suddenly heard shouts coming from our left side. It came from the forest.

The soldiers gathered on the left. Soon arrows went flying from the forest strucked our soldiers.

The general shouted "Disperse! Hide by the forest on the right! Run!" He then rode towards us followed by several royal guards. He shout towards us. "Follow me!"

Me, Papa and Sana rode hard following him. The guards surrounded us as we ride. We were heading straight towards the mountain. I looked back and saw people from the forest wearing black emerged with their swords held up. They outnumbered us, our troops won't match against them. An enemy spotted us and shouted in an unfamiliar language. Three archers ran towards him and began shooting at us.

I looked ahead and shouted. "Spread out in coming arrows."

We all spread out and rode in different directions until their arrows couldn't reach us. We all gathered while riding and the guards resumed formation.

"General, riders en route."

"Let's go past the forest then have half our men hide and attack them. Archers by the trees. Take down as many as you could."

"Aye, general."

The reality of it all hits me. We're being attacked and we don't know who they were. They're foreign based on their language. Oh no, are they Tyrians? They came from the south?

We reached the forest. 6 of the guards slowed down and began spreading out and hide.

We never stopped until we reached the base of the mountain. We stopped for a while and hid behind large rocks beside the mountain.

We were all panting specially Papa.

"It's.. been... a... while..." He said while panting. "Who... the hell... were they?"

I looked at the general who's eyes were alert and locked on to where we came from.

"They speak a foreign language not that we know of. They must be Tyrians."

He looked at me with fear in his eyes.

"If they were Tyrians, this is bad. We need to move." He then talked to Papa. "Your highness, I understand you're tired but we need to move now or they'll caught us. It's possible they're Tyrians."

His eyes went wide then he stood. "Let's go. I will not die in the filthy hands of some Tyrians." The guards helped him mount.

We then rode as fast and as cautious as we can for the mountain have a hard track. It came to a point that horses couldn't go on further. So we need to go on foot. We were all worried about Papa's condition. He was tired already so the general made a carrier using the tools and woods he could get. It worked for two men was able lift him with that carrier.

Suddenly arrows went flying towards us. One almost caught the guard holding Papa's carrier. We made Papa go down the carrier and we hid by the trees.

The general pulled the two youngest of the guards and walked him towards us. He handed a parchment to him.

"Assist them and guard them with your life." They both nodded.

He then faced me. "Your highness, this parchment will lead you to the hidden cave. You both skilled on archery, use them. Take care, I'll see you later."

Just like that he walked towards the other guards and took post. We then went our way towards the hidden cave. We came across two big rock boulders. I looked at the parchment and was amazed by the detailed drawing. The mountain is an old volcano and It's crater is now a lagoon. The mountain itself has a waterfall. According to the map, there's a hidden trail that leads to the pathway through the waterfall. For behind the waterfall is the hidden cave.

The map's arrows directs me to walk behind the left boulder. I went behind it and noticed the vines and when I set it aside a narrow passageway became visible. I asked the guard to get me a torch. He was holding the torch and insisted to go on first. Me, Sana, Papa and the other guard went next accordingly.

The passageway turned by the left at first then to the right before it continued straight. We could now see a light at the end. We suddenly heard the sound of many steps. The first guard stepped on the torch until it was extinguished. We listened in silence. We could hear them talking

"They're outside but I don't think they found this passageway." The last guard said.

"Let's go." The first guard said. We ran forward but slowed down as we approached the end for the light was blinding them. Once we adjusted to the light, the guard stopped us. The landing was steep it'll only fit one person. Ahead of us was the waterfall but it was a long way to go. Looking at it there was no way to go there. There's nowhere to go up to the top, there's no way around nor a way to go down.

I looked at the map and saw the small handwriting that says there's a pathway around the edges. It's camouflaged to look like the wall of the mountain. The map's arrow points the left side.

"The map says there's a camouflaged pathway around the edge." I told the guard.

The guard drew his sword and use it to tap the mountain wall near his foot. To his surprise his sword hit something hard. He continued to feel whatever it is using his sword.

He then tried to put a foot on it. It is solid and looks hard enough. So he stand on it. Nothing happened so he use his sword again to check if there's others. He found several more that seems to lead to the waterfall. He came back and said it's solid enough to hold a person. I suggested to do it by twos. I let Papa and Sana to go first. Papa drew his sword and used it to feel the steps.

"Whoever did this is brilliant." Sana said.

They were almost there when we heard footsteps coming from the passageway. "No!" I screamed inside my mind.

I gestured to Sana they have to be quiet, hurry and once they reached it stay hidden no matter what. Sana mouthed No! Papa on the other hand gestured my bow and dagger. I nodded at him. He then pulled Sana and he ran forward no longer using his sword to feel the steps. I moved to the first step, drew my bow. The guards ran back to the entrance.

I saw Papa and Sana disappeared behind the waterfall. The guards can't hold the enemies and I can't reach there in time. I can't also risk exposing the camouflaged steps and lead them to Papa and Sana. I should stay here and fight them off as long as I can.

Is this my end? I am scared. But if it's the last thing I could do just to save Papa and Sana, I will do it. I tried to calm myself, clear my mind and be alert. I opened my eyes as I heard someone running from the passageway. I aimed at the entrance.

The enemy emerges but he immediately fell for he couldn't control his speed thus he lost balance on the steep landing. Another one almost fell before he sees me I shot him on his chest making him fall.

Then I heard grunts and clashes of swords. Then an enemy was thrown from the passageway then fell. I wasn't ready when another emerged for he was too quick that he took hold of my bow before I aim it at him. Then I was shocked by who it was, Prince Chaeyoung.