Battle Scars

The Harp (II)

It all went to hell quite quickly, in Eve's opinion. One minute she was third wheeling the new unofficial couple, and the next, she and Nesta were running as their lives depended on it. But Cassian was still behind, swords drawn and siphons blazing. Eve stopped. Nesta skidded to halt a few steps ahead of her. And when Nesta looked at her, wide-eyed and with fear, Eve shook her head. No, they would not leave him behind with a death-God and with half of Briallyn's puppets on their way here. Nesta seemed to understand this- and nodded. They were not cowards, although, they might be a bit foolish, Eve thought, as they turned back to where danger was.

They had only turned, Eve still clutching the Harp in her hand when Autumn Court soldiers appeared- barrelling towards them with such a bloodthirsty look on their face that it made Eve shudder.

She gripped the Harp as her fingers went up and down. It could not fall into the wrong hands. Lanthys was fighting Cassian, rabid soldiers were on her tail and Nesta- "Cassian!". Eve breathed in once. Twice. Thrice. It was clear what she had to do.

"Go to him. You have a Made sword and yourself. Go." She ordered Nesta who did not need to be told twice.

Eve herself stood still. She readied herself, legs apart, one hand clutching the Harp while the other readied with her powers. She could not fight them with a sword at the moment. No, her powers would have to help. Praying to all the Gods she had ever known and believed in, Eve took in an inhale.

Twelve soldiers were advancing at her. Somewhere, she could hear Cassian and Nesta and Lanthys.

The first one came at her with his full force. Eve ducked out of his way before sending ice to his heart. The second one was already on her by the time the first one staggered back and fell. He slashed at her arm. Eve hissed. With the Harp still in hand, she swept at his feet. He fell to the ground, hitting his head. The third and fourth and fifth went down too.

Eve was panting as the rest advanced. Her shoulders ached and she had too many cuts on herself. The closed space was not helping her fight. It was packed and they were too many, too fast. She needed an out. As if sensing her distress, the Harp came alive, cooing at her to use it.

Eve had no option or time this time around. To Cassian, she willed, to Cassian.

Play me, it replied. Cursing, Eve let her fingers run at the strings, coming at stop at the smallest of them for the smallest of distances. It had to be right. She just knew that it had to be right.

There was no time for doubts. She plucked the string- the smallest and the one closest to her. The sound reverberated around her, and everything seemed to stop for a moment. And then, she was standing beside Cassian who lay on the ground, blinking. She only had time to turn her head when she felt ice- one that was unfamiliar- pass through her.

Lanthys law on the ground. Dead. And in pieces. Eve almost threw up- the scene was so similar to how it had been on the field during the last battle. Cassian strewn, defeated and battered. Nesta killing the King and Eve channelling the Cauldron.

Gulping harshly, she watched as Nesta helped Cassian onto his feet.

Screaming began throughout the mountain. Petrified, pleading screaming, fists pounding. Not on the rock or the doors that held them, but on the opposite walls of their cells. As if they were begging the Prison to spare them from Nesta and that sword.

"Autumn Court soldiers. More are coming. I cannot winnow," Eve said, her voice hoarse. Cassian only groaned. "Hold on to me," she commanded them. The Harp will have to help again.

Nesta smiled darkly as she did so. Cassian looked grim. He looked too pale for her liking, even as Eve herself had to grip the Harp to stay steady and grounded to her surroundings. One of the soldiers had gotten a good stab, it seemed.