The Wingfeather Saga Sequel

The Threat

Janner and his siblings ran to the front gates and were greeted by the sounds of war. Eveywhere they looked they saw the men and women of Anneria fighting, running to safety, or getting their kids to safety. Or all at once. This isn't how their kingdom was supposed to be. This isn't what Anneria was supposed to be like.

Janner looked around and saw three little kids all kneeling beside a man on the ground. The man wasn't moving. They were all screaming. They couldn't have been more than six years old.

"Hang on!" Janner yelled as he and his siblings ran to help them.

"Janner look out!" Leeli cried.

Janner turned his head and saw one of Lingston's men running towards him with his sword drawn. "The Royals are out!" He was screaming to his fellow soldiers.

Janner's and the man's sword clanged together with teeth shattering strength.

Janner and the man sparred at a rapid pace. Quicker than Janner had ever sparred in his life. He ducked when the man swung for his head and attempted to jab him before the man, while advanced in years, jumped swiftly out of the way.

The man kicked Janner in the stomach and forced him to the ground. He had his blade inches from Janner's heart. Janner struggled under the weight of the man's foot but he was stuck. The only thing he could do was hope Kal or Leeli had a plan.

"Tell me Throne Warden, what will you do when Lingston takes your dead father's land?" The man spat as he held Janner down.

Janner yelled, "I want you to leave our land!" He picked up his head as far as he could and yelled, "Kalmar!"

Before the man could react, he had an arrow in his back. He fell to the floor in a heap and Janner saw Kalmar standing several feet behind him.

They were not able to waste any time. Leeli was already with the three kids and had one in her arms. "Guys we need to get them to safety!" She yelled.

Janner and Kal each grabbed a screaming child and they started running through a nearby empty alleyway.

"You forgot my dad!" The one in Kal's arms cried. "Please go back!"

"I'm so sorry but we can't." Kal said as they kept running.

"But he is all alone!" The boy cried. "He told us he didn't like to be alone! He needs us!"

"I'm sorry honey, but we have to get you three to safety." Leeli said as she turned into a doorway and knocked three times.

"Leeli, what are you doing?" Janner asked.

Before she could answer, an elderly woman with grey hair and kind eyes opened the door. "Princess? What are you doing outside the castle?" She asked with worry.

"I'm sorry Maggie but we need your help. Can you keep these three children safe? We just saved them from the battle. It looks like their dad tried to get them to safety but..." Her voice trailed off and she didn't finish her sentence.

"Of course. Come in quickly. All of you." She said as Leeli led the way in.

Janner walked in to this tiny room that looked like a small one room house. He looked around and saw there were no windows. Then, Maggie opened a hidden door in the floor and started to walk down the steps. They followed her down and out the children down on a bed in the corner.

"Please look after them." Leeli said

Maggie hugged her and said, "Of course, sweetheart." Then she looked at Janner and Kal closely and gasped. "Your Majesty." She said respectfully as she bowed for Kal. Then she looked at Janner and bowed. "Throne Warden." Before they could say anything, she looked at Leeli. "It is not safe, Princess. You must go back to the palace."