An Assassins Crown

Chapter 25- Katara

I had been sleeping somewhat peacefully until I felt my hands constricted behind my back just like how they where in the carriages. A hand clamps over my mouth to muffle any screams that I might shed. Someone binds my ankles leaving me completely defenceless as they pull my to my feet.

Four soldiers pushing me into the dark cover of trees. I scream in the hand still clamped over my mouth. I flail my limbs wanting to make a ruckus. If I wake some people up I could get some help.

They pull me into the darkness, my screams intensify fear clenching my heart.

I try to kick at one of there shins but they catch my legs.

One of the men that weren't doing anything throws me against a tree. My head spins dot's cloud my vision for a moment.

"Oh, little red" A man in a black mask snickers as he kicks my stomach causing me to cry out.

A man in a green mask leans forward "So defenceless without the prince." The black masked one kneels down with a dagger and traces it down my throat.

"What if we killed you right now red?" the blue masked one says.

Through gritted teeth I say "My name is not red". In a blink of an eye I've been gagged and sliced on my arm. White hot pain surges through me as green mask kicks me in the stomach.

"We do the talking. You just take the punishment" I force myself not to cry. Blood seeps into my shirt as one of them takes a dagger out of my sheethe and slices me in my ribs. "I though you'd put up more of a fight with the reputation you have red."

Not deep enough to need stitches but deep enough that it hurts like hell. One with a white mask steps forward and slices my leg with one of my own daggers. The wounds starts coming so quickly I don't have time to scream. I bend my knees and kick one of them in the stomach, my eyes turn razor focused.

A growl breaks through the ringing in my ears. "Enough" someone roars. Not just anyone- Verian. The men drop my daggers fear crossing over the faces although all I can see is there eyes. At least they have finally stopped speaking. Their voices were going to make my ears bleed.

Milo steps out from behind Verian, his eyes dark. Both of their looks are murderous. "What do you think their punishment should be, your highness?" He adds extra emphasis on the last two words.

"I'll deal with them later" Verians voice sends shivers down my spine. The attackers get on the knees grovelling for mercy. "Milo" he says and almost knowing exactly what to do he drags my attackers away for me. For a moment I let my eyes tear up but I blink them away.

Veary kneels in front of me taking the gag away from my mouth. He gets a small remote type thing out of his pocket and my arms are immediately relieved from the press of a button. He unties the rope around my ankles, I try to sit up but when my arms shake he helps me.

Cautiously, I put my arms around his neck despite the pain it causes me. I cling to him like he's the only solid thing in the world. He wraps his own arms around me gentle as not to hurt my wounds. Breathing hurts, moving hurts, life hurts but he is my healing. The healing to my heart. To my soul that has been broken so many times.

He strokes my hair and whispers "I should have gotten here sooner. They should never have been able to even touch you". His hands shaky in anger. I lean back so I can look at him in the eyes.

"I can take care of myself" my voice is hoarse.

"But you didn't" he was right. I wasn't able to take care of myself, I was hurt but that does not make me weak. Every assassin, spy, warrior is not just strong in the body but also in the mind. I would've found a way. Even if that way may have been taking the wounds or fighting to my second last breath.

He gathers me up in his arms and lifts me up. "Put me down" I refuse to be weak. I will not be reliant on other people help forever.

"But-"

"Put. Me. Down" I say through my teeth. He places me on the ground hesitantly, still holding his arms out just in case I fall. I bite down the pain as I start to walk forward. Veary places a hand on the small of my back.

"At least come to my tent so I can treat your wounds" with my best interest at heart I agree.

Slowly we walk out of the forest, biting my tongue so hard a taste of blood. I sit down on the makeshift bed in his tent. He grabs a medical tent and sits in front of me starting on the cuts on my arms. I hiss in pain, wincing. "I heard" Verian starts speaking "that Magical Beings have faster healing."

"Linury" I correct him. He raises his brow at me "We are called Linury, not Magical Beings." he nods slowly processing this peace of information.

"I didn't know that".

"Obviously", I say with sarcasm.

He gives me a look that seems to say seriously. A flash him a wicked smile. "Answer my question Kat".

I scowl at the reminder of that nickname, "Yes we can. But that doesn't mean we are invincible. We still feel pain as much as the next person. And" I take a deep breath as disinfectant reaches for another "fatal wounds can still kill."

We sit there in silence for a while after that. I simply watch him as he cleans my wounds. He lifts up my shirt to his eyes widening for a moment at the scars he sees. Although I'm not surprised his eyes widened like that. He quickly conceals his shock and cleans the slashes covering my broken body.

But I have been in much worse shape.

When you have been tortured by your own mother your whole life you learn not to pity yourself so much. Yes, I feel sad that this is my life. Yes, I want to give up everyday. But do I? No. Because my life will find another purpose.

After several hisses and winces of pain he finally finishes cleaning and wrapping my wounds. I look at the tent flap ready to leave despite the worry it causes me. Veary packs up the first aid kit and returns it to its place. "Stay" his voice is soft "Just for tonight. Stay here so I know you're safe". I pause for a moment, my thoughts ripping me apart.

After several moments I nod, "Just tonight".

"Just tonight" he confirms. I scooch over on his bed to lay at the very end of it. I lay down on my back not even attempting to lay on my side yet.

Veary sits at the edge of the bed his head hanging low as he clenches his fists, his veins strain. I shift my body to lay on my side despite the stabbing pain it causes me. His head snaps to my body at the sound of my pain. I curl up tightly.

I feel a blanket lowered onto me, it soothes my burning skin. Sleep beckons me onto it's clutches and I know I can't resist when I can barely keep my eyes open.