I haughtily made my way back to the castle when I felt a figure grab my arm. I gasped and felt a hand fall over my mouth. That made me mad. I made as much noise as I could. I took a breath and swung my leg around.
The heel of my flat connected with a jawbone with a heavy thud and I ran as fast as I could, screaming for help. I turned and saw the figure disappeared. I stood, puzzled. Wanna fight freak? I mentally screamed.
“Princess, are you alright,” A member of the guard ran up.
“There was a man and he grabbed me!” I panted and straightened up.
“Did you see him?” He asked, drawing his sword.
“No, I was too busy kicking his lights out,” I shook my head and heard a twig snap.
“Watch out!” I screamed as I heard more movements. I heard the twing of a bow and ducked immediately. The confused guard was too late. I saw the arrow pierce his temple and a line of blood trickle out.
I was hysterical. I was unarmed and unprepared and vulnerable. Suddenly, I heard the shouts of several men and as they writhed in the bushes as they overcome with an unknown pain. I ran over to one and watch as he writhed and fell still. He looked to be a teenager. I grabbed my dagger and began panting, looking around wildly. I ran back to the guard and plucked the arrow out of his head.
I put my ear to his chest and listened for a heartbeat. There was nothing. I sighed and looked at his face and cringed. His eyes were wide open with fear. I swept a gentle hand over them and they closed. I put his sword in his sheath and sighed. I heaved him on one shoulder and nearly collapsed again. I dropped my dagger and kicked it up and grabbed the blade. I hissed as I began bleeding.
I staggered under the weight of the fallen guard and my wound. I staggered into the courtyard where two guards rushed to my aid.
“What happened?” They asked.
“We were attacked. I don’t know if we were followed,” I winced.
“Ma’am, this man has fallen. Why would you risk your own demise for a normal guard?” One asked tentatively.
“I couldn’t leave him for the night creatures. He died for me. I owe him that,” I groaned.
“Her hand has been sliced? Who did this?” The other asked.
“I was grabbing the blade of one man who died and cut my hand,” I said. They grabbed the fallen man and helped me into the castle infirmary.
“Tara Anne, where have you been?” My mother demanded but I lumbered past her with the guards. She hounded me with questions as we walked, all of which I ignored. The guards filled her in.
I walked into the infirmary and sat on a bed. A doctor rushed over and began bandaging my hand. I soon fell asleep.
I woke up the next morning with a very sore hand and night clothes on. I was in my own bed. I was puzzled until last nights’ events came crashing down upon me.
I carefully dressed and the doctor re-bandaged my hand.
“Good morning sweetheart!” My father rushed in and gave me a hug.
