The Lady Knight

Chapter 5

          "Dammit!"

          Alex picked up the rope laying on the ground again.

     Okay, so she may have fibbed a bit when saying she knew exactly what she was doing. She knew how to survive out on her own, but didn't have much of an idea as to how she would stop the knights from taking her head.

    Looking over at the setting sun, she squared her shoulders and threw the rope again. With nighttime well on its way, Alex needed to get her supplies above the reach of any wandering animals. 

    Growling in frustration when the rope flopped to the ground again, she resorted to Nightmare. Standing on the saddle with wobbling legs, she tossed the rope around the branch above her.

          "Yes!" she gleefully exclaimed. She did her own little happy dance, wiggling her hips and completely forgetting she was standing on the back of her horse. Feeling herself tipping into losing her balance, she grasped uselessly at the air.

          "No!" she barked. Landing hard on her behind with a solid thump, Alex groaned and blew the hair out of her eyes, rolling off of her aching rear. 

    Nightmare let out a snort. Alex narrowed her eyes at her horse.

          "And what are you laughing at?!" she snapped as she stood up, brushing off her sore backside. She stuck her tongue out at him, only to be whipped in the face by his tail. Grumbling light-hearted curses, she went back to work.

          Grabbing the rope, she managed to haul her belongings into the air. She let out a sigh of relief and plopped down by the fire.

          Alex stared at the flames licking greedily at the air. Four days had already passed since she ran from home. She had past the expense of land roamed by the infected ones, so she mainly rested at night. Based on their progress, she expected to reach Traiton by mid-day tomorrow.

          The journey so far had been tiring, but Alex had expected that. 

     I wonder what mother must be thinking, she thought to herself. She regretted not leaving a note to explain, but she knew Lady Kate would understand. Although she had been closer with her father, his death had brought she and her mother together.

          Alex recalled the night she had left. After having the idea of joining in battle, she had collected enough supplies to last her for about a week. Giving her mother's window one last remorseful look, she and Nightmare made their escape. It had been approaching dawn when they began their journey.

          Letting out a deep yawn, Alex leaned against the log behind her, still staring at the fire. Amber flames reaching towards the stars were the last thing she saw before she succumbed to the claws of sleep.

* * *

          When Alex awoke, the fire was out, leaving only a faint trail of smoke. Sighing, she closed her eyes again and hoped for a few more hours of sleep before they would set out again at sunrise.

          A twig snapped not far in the distance. Alex's head shot up, every trace of drowsiness rushing from her body. Giving Nightmare a cautious look in warning, she crawled over and pulled her blade out of its sheath.

          The bushes surrounding them began to rustle. Alex jack-knifed to her feet and braced herself, holding her weapons ready.

          The rustling grew louder, leaves falling in clumps to the earth.

          Nightmare rose and stood by Alex, leaning gently against her shoulder in support.

          More twigs snapped.

          The bushes shook.

          Alex gritted her teeth, bending her knees in anticipation.

          A deep growl came from the bushes.