His Girl

Chapter 28

My father's eyes sparkled at the prospect of fighting Jackson.
"Ahh, so this is how young boys sort out their problems is it? Just draw your sword, cut off a few limbs then walk away victorious." My father taunted
"Isn't that your definition of victory father, except you just sit back and watch men get killed and then reap all the rewards." I butted in my voice loaded with venom.
"Tania stay out of this." Jackson said through gritted teeth whilst looking directly at my father.
"I for once agree with your lover, I will deal with you once I have finished him off." He said grinning at me with his satanic smile. "I would fight you," he continued "but then again why bother getting my hands dirty when you are already vastly outnumbered." He gestured around the room which was full of his loyal supporters.
"Well show them what a strong king you are then." Jackson retorted
"I don't need to prove myself to anyone, especially not the likes of you." He sneered.
"Your just a coward Edgar, if you claim to be this oh-so powerful ruler then why don't you prove yourself."
My father looked at Jackson with quizzical eyes before clapping his hands in triumph.
"I tell you what Jackson, never mind me proving myself to you, but how about you prove to me that you are worthy of my daughters hand." He paused slightly before continuing "You can fight against the greatest warrior of Nagoria and, if you win, I will gladly grant you my daughters hand and that will be the end of all of your worries."
Jackson frowned at my father to see if there was some catch or if this was a joke, but seeming confident on the offer he grasped my father's hand and shook it firmly, sealing the deal. I shook my head, Jackson was stupid, he was a good swordsman, but could he beat the best in Nagoria, I wasn't so sure. Alongside that, the likelihood of my father playing fair was close to none, the odds of Jackson surviving this were close to none, my father would never have made an offer like this if there was even a slither of a chance that Jackson might win.

*
I was thrown into a damp dingy cell deep in the dungeons. I had no idea where they had taken Jackson, or what they would do to him to ensure that the fight was not fair. I took off my armour as it looked stupid as I was sat shivering in the corner of a stinking cell. There was nothing I could do. Jackson was going to die. He didn't have to do this for me, I would rather have married Romero than see him die. I wiped the tears that seemed to have sprung unwelcomingly from my eyes. I had only been in the cell for half an hour, wallowing in my own misery, when I heard keys click in the lock. I looked up to see Lydiea underneath a rich forest green cloak.
"Hurry, Tania, I have been terribly worried about you. Heck I thought you had been killed." She whispered through her teeth as the door swung open, revealing my freedom.
"Don't worry he is only keeping me as my life is of use to him, it has nothing to do with him being my father and all." I replied back in murmurs. I crept out of the cell, relieved to be away from that dark place, and followed Lydia, who was stepping over the bodies of enchanted guards. I frowned at them as we did so, and as if she read my mind she said,
"Witchcraft does have its benefits, especially when rescuing princesses from their evil villains of fathers." Her eyes twinkled as we strode up the spiralling stone steps away from the dungeons. Before we went through the door into the main castle Lydiea stopped and said very seriously.
"Now, I have a plan, but it needs time for it to take place. I would tell you, but it's too dangerous, but job is to distract your father and delay the fight as much as possible." She noticed my worried expression, I had no clue how to distract my father and I felt that I was entitled to know her plan.
"In short, I'm getting reinforcements from Lothelor, not regiments, certain people who will all in turn play a part. Just listen to me." She placed her hands firmly onto my shoulders "I think you know what needs to be done." I let out a deep breath and bit my lip but nodded, I understood. "And with your permission, the plan will go ahead. Good luck, oh and try not to get killed." She grinned before swinging the door open and pushing me forward. By the time I had realised what she had done, Lydiea had disappeared.