Garthalan: Mother of the Wood

Freedom Comes At A Cost

Gretha pov

" And your sure of what you've seen?" A thousand soldiers, against our two hundred, good thing the repairs on the fort are almost complete or we would have no chance. My men are trained by the order but only one hundred of them is not enough against a thousand others trained the same way. There are only twelve wood elves that are trained for a battle, then there's Duncan's men, another fifty well trained men, but still not enough.

"Positive sir. If you would Like no part in this we will leave, perhaps they will pass you by without a second glance." Send them away, that had not crossed my mind. No I cannot knowingly commit them to their deaths.

" No, we will have the civilians leave. The rest of us will stay and hold them off as long as we can. Deolis!" My messenger entered the room awaiting orders. I began to write letters asking for help from what few allies I had. When I was done I sent him out to deliver them. Hopefully they arrive in time.

"Thank you lady Helena. You may have just saved many lives."

She was talking to Adaya, a conversation I did not hear due to my concentration on the pen.

"Anything to help my people, I wonder if I might help plan the defenses? I have fought a group of these men before and know some tricks to thin their numbers to something more agreeable."

That would be great. "Yes. We will need all the help we can get here."

Yennefer pov

I was still fully aware waiting for artunous to return, so we might leave. Preferably without my mind under the control of another. They had taken me to my cell but never put the bracelet back on me. This is my only chance and I must take it. Footsteps came down the hall, they were rushed. Artunous.

" We must hurry, they will notice these missing soon enough." He fumbled with the keys finding my cell and unlocking it. I am free. I gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Thank you." Not exactly adiquite but all I can think of. We moved down the halls avoiding gaurds when possible. We finally came to a window, it was high and at the bottom were tree's does he expect us to die now?

" We have to take the alternative exit. Don't worry there's water at the bottom." He jumped.

The next events happened in what seemed to be slow motion, I blinked once as he dissapeard in the branches, the second blink I heard men's feet behind me, I turned to see none other than the king and his guard running at me. My next blink I was falling backwards watching a head watch from the window as I plummeted down through the trees. My next blink it was all blackness.

When I finally opened them again the world was normal again. I was staring at the branches, soaked. I turned to see my friend sitting beside me. " We have to go!" His lips were moving the whole time but they had finally caught sound. He dragged me to my feet and drug me through the trees and brush, I was too light headed still to move myself so I let him, I knew we had to move so I did not try to stop even though my body was telling me it was crucial for me to.

When we finally stopped it was dark out, I collapsed against a tree thankful that could get a grip over my head. It took a few moments but subsided. I began to laugh."We made it! I can't believe I'm finally free!" I enjoyed the air and trees, the sound of animals and bugs around us. After hours of this I let it lul me to sleep. Before I let it take me I turned to artunous. " So do we have a plan?"

"Yes, there's a fort a few days from here. I believe the leader there will give us whatever help we need, as well as a place to rest a few days."

"Thats good." I mumbled before letting the sleep take me.

Adaya pov

Trying to protect my sister has put her in so much more danger than before. According to Helena some of the soldiers mentioned her name specifically apperentaly it was now common knowledge and there is actually a reward for the soldier that kills me which means they probably know of my sister as well. This turned into a mess real quickly.

"adaya!" A hand waved in my face, I was still standing in front of the door to my house. I looked over an there stood Garen, a worried look on his face.

"where's Liya?" I looked around but did not see her.

"she's playing in the garden with the other children." I relaxed, she's still safe, and obviously over her anger for now.

I wrapped my arms around him, I had no reason I just needed this bit of comfort right now. He hesitantly wrapped his arms around me turning it into a tight embrace. I lay my head on his chest and just reveled in the feelings. I could get used to this. No! No I can't, this is a one time thing, I just need some comfort. At least that's what I kept telling myself as I drunk in his smell, leather and salt. An odd mix but it was good.