Aleksei

Chapter 2

Blood, everywhere. I feel dazed and lost, I thought I was free. Where am I? When did I get here? I'm back in my room in the castle, bleeding out. The window's boarded shut with "Why did you leave?" written on it.

I try with all of my power to open the door, but it's hopeless. Fiona's voice fills my head, "Where did you go? You left me here with him, with that monster."

I cover my ears, trying to escape this nightmare. I jumped onto my bed, my freedom was a dream. I cover my mouth and start to sob, how selfish was I to leave Fiona there? I awoke with a scream, adrenaline running through me.

That was a nightmare, but it's true I left Fiona there all alone.

I left her there with that monster.

She's either dead or in a cell right now, and the former sounds to be the better option. Who knows what torture his prisoners get put through.

I hear people in the distance. They must've heard my scream, how stupid was I? They're getting closer, and I hear Grall'Mak start to growl. I start shushing him, maybe they're riding past.

What sounds like 3 horses start to get closer and closer, and I start to think less and less they're just passing by. I led them right back to me. They're going to take me back to be killed by Igita.

"Hello?" It sounds like a young man.

"Frery, if you heard a scream don't assume anybody is alive here," a deeper voice this time said.

Another voice chimed in, sounding young as well, "well, we can't help but check, right?"

Oh please don't look in here. I can't tell how far away they are. I can't tell if they're going to hurt me or not.

A young boy's head pops up in front of my door, and he stares me dead in the eyes. I don't know how I look right now, I don't know if I should run or not. Grall'Mak is on my left side, almost completely hidden, the only visible part are his eyes. It felt like an eternity me and him were looking at each other.

He quickly sprang back up and I heard him yell, "Ansellus! Ade! They're in here. I think they're lost," his voice sounded concerned and excited.

Grall'Mak wasn't growling anymore, so that eased my worries a little bit.

Another, older, head looked down into my hut too. "Do you think we should take him back to Khoemor?" The kingdom of Khoemor is neighboring my kingdom, Numiria. Hopefully, nobody in Khoemor should recognize me as the princess of Numiria, especially with my disguised look.

"Hey kid, can you come out here?" It was the one with the deep voice, he sounded more concerned.

I slowly crawled out of my tent, Grall'Mak following not far behind.

The one who looked to be the youngest looked behind me and saw him come out with me, then said, "You have a dog? What's its name?"

The oldest scoffed and said "Frery learn some manners. Excuse my brother, what is your name?"

Frery rolled his eyes, and scowled at his brother from behind. I had to quickly come up with a name, so I just said the first one on my mind. "Rayth, my name's Rayth. What's yours?"

He looked at me like he was trying to figure out if I was a poorly disguised girl or young teenager. "My name is Ansellus, the quiet one is Ade, and the rude one is Frery. Pleased to meet you Rayth."

"Likewise," we nodded. I feel much safer now knowing they don't recognize me and they don't seem to be too dangerous. I feel even if they were to try and attack me, Grall'Mak wouldn't take much liking to that to say the least.