From A Kingdom's Shadow

CHAPTER EIGHT

Apondra kicked stones as she walked towards home, her mind wandering about the prince's words. She wondered how long he would be searching for recruits before he would return to his far off kingdom. Her heart sank as she wondered if he knew how she felt about him. He must think I am such a fool... why would he ever consider a butcher's daughter? Perhaps it was better this way, to let him return to his future kingdom, and her continue on as she always did, never spectacular, living an ordinary life.

Dark clouds gathered overhead, blocking out the moonlight, leaving Apondra to walk by the little light of the houses that still had candles lit. She sighed happily towards the sky as she felt the first few raindrops hit her skin, the smell of the dampening earth and grass was a welcome one, it almost made her forget about the refuse and waste in the streets. She could afford a moment of pleasure before going home. She twirled in the rain, letting her hair soak and not caring that her cloak was drenched and clinging to her back. But it was as she twirled she realized something, or rather someone... stalking towards her with an uneven gait, the loser of the King's Head match. She halted as she watched him close the distance and back her against the wall of a home.

"Ahh.. li'l cheater. I have something for you," his voice slurred with drink, he grabbed hold of her arm and pinned it above her head, "Seems you owe me some coin for the trouble you caused, eh?" Apondra could feel the prick of a blade at her side.

Her heart pounded, and she tried to search for a way out, but her back was to the wall, and with one arm pinned above her escape would not be a simple one. This would need some finesse with her blade... finesse she was not familiar with. She would need to think on her feet. No one was coming after her. Apondra was on her own.

She shuddered as the man came so close that she could smell the stale ale on his breath, fighting not to gag against the stench. Apondra swallowed as much fear as she could and mustered in a small voice, "If it is coin you are after, I have a pouch in my left boot," when his eyes downcast to her boot she added, "It is all I have! I swear on the Mother! Just..."

Her next words were cut short as the pommel of his blade connected with the side of her face. Her eyes teared and she tasted her own blood. She coughed against it and felt a firm hand grasp her throat.

"I don' want excuses!" he growled, pressing her against the wall so hard her wings ached painfully. He flashed his dagger, "make with the coin!"

Her panic spread and she gasped, trying to wrestle herself away, but his blade appeared at her throat again and she stilled. She had to fight! But what could she do?

She felt her throat tighten as the blade bobbed at her throat, "If that is what you want, then at least let me take my cloak off... the rain has soiled it,"

He let out a frustrated growl as he took one step back, still brandishing the dagger, "You try anything girly, I'll gut you where you stand," he warned, rage in his eyes.

She nodded absently to him and struggled to undo the tie of her cloak. The relief that washed over her when she felt the cloak fall away to her ankles shocked her and she leaned against the wall to keep herself steady.

"I just need to put this to the side," she murmured, turning her back to him, hoping that her dress covered the bindings just enough. Her heart pounded in her ears as Apondra bent down and picked up the cloak slowly, taking her dagger with her. Okay... now! She spun and threw the cloak over his head.

The man cursed colorfully and fought against the wet cloak that clung at him like a second skin, his dagger swinging wildly.

She growled and threw a hard kick between his legs, and when he hunched at the impact she leapt onto his back, his dagger lost to the mud she took her advantage, using the hilt of her own to assault his head as much as she could.