Fate | Baldwin IV

journey II

I couldn't scream or move as the horse thundered forward, fear holding me rigid as we galloped in full speed across the grove. My heart sunk in my chest as I looked back once more, straining to see Aisha. She was already a blur in the distance, her figure swallowed by the dust. I didn't even know if she was hurt, or worse.

The rider pressed onward until we reached an open stretch of barren land. The horses behind us fanned out, encircling us like a shield. The swirling dust filled my lungs, burning my throat as I struggled to catch my breath. My veil had slipped away long ago, leaving my face and hair exposed.

We left the trees and the stream behind. Ahead of us was the vast, dry road towards the caravan now. I caught sight of the servants already scrambling in panic as they rushed to pack up in the distance. They knew what was coming.

As we advanced, men around me pulled their curved swords from their sheaths and readied their arrows in silence. Servants looked up as we rode into their view, their faces struck with horror when they saw the raiders. My eyes desperately searched for the king among the scattering crowd, but he was nowhere to be seen. He must have been taken to safety, at least.

Then, the first arrow struck. A servant fell to the ground, then another, and another, their bodies collapsing in sickening silence. Shouts and screams filled the air as the raiders closed in, and servants quickly ran away to take cover, leaving the foot soldiers to fight. But they barely had time to draw their weapons before falling in turn, arrows raining down.

One of them screamed in terror when an arrow pierced through his eye. Then another blow on his chest, and he dropped lifeless to the ground, a pool of blood forming beneath his head. Horrified, I shut my eyes and turned away, but my mind wouldn't escape the sight.

The mounted raiders swept through the caravan, slashing down those in their path with their swords without even needing to slow down. As we passed the length of the caravan, an arrow whistled past me, so close it startled me from my shock. I glanced back in surprise to see knights charging toward us, Baldwin's men riding hard against the attackers, led by Balian himself.

A loud thud came close by. One of the raiders behind slumped from his saddle, an arrow lodged in his torso. The man who held me captive leaned low to avoid the hail of arrows and kicked his horse into a gallop, tightening his grip around me as I clung to him, desperate to stay mounted. Behind us, the raiders began falling one by one before the leader shouted something I couldn't make out, and then they scattered, some engaging with the knights while others bolted for cover.

I was taken away from the scene while the rest fought, and I could only glance back over my shoulder in desperation. We tore away from the chaos, the clash of swords fading as the battle grew distant.

This must be the end, I thought. Before they can ever find me, I will be sold as a slave.

Then, the sharp twang of an arrow sliced the air beside us, and in an instant, our horse screamed and reared back. Before I could brace myself or even understand what was happening, we were thrown from the saddle, and both of us tumbled to the hard ground.

Shaken by the impact, I remained on the ground for a moment, my vision blurred. Sounds bled together—the clash of steel, the panicked neighing of horses, the faint echo of shouting. My chest tightened as I struggled to breathe, the world spinning around me. I slowly forced myself upright, my vision clearing as I saw the horse fleeing, an arrow stuck in its haunch.

The man beside me staggered to his feet, recovering faster than I could. He let out a groan, then seized my arm, yanking me roughly to my feet before the approaching knights could reach us.

I tried to fight back, but to no avail. He was much stronger than I was. He pulled me against himself with a tight grip to restrain me.

"Stay still, woman!" he shouted as I twisted in his hold.