Kingmaker

Warning #1

Throughout the night the armies of Lancaster fought in friendly wager fights. Ava smiling over her men as they fought, some smiling as they took down their friends and scuffled on the ground like schoolboys. She had given all of her men the chance to fight, and had given each of them 100 coin. It was considered a lot on top of their normal fornightly pay.
As she smiled and watched, Sir Richard sat at her side, laughing and talking with Plantagenet beside him. Ava was happy to just sit and watch her soldiers. Like a mother watching over children in a sense. She felt protective of them. That was one reason she had remained armed. She glanced behind her occassionally. Checking the surrounding area. She couldn't see much from where she sat, and with the darkness of night already settled around them, it made visibility even more difficult.  But she continued to check behind her. She may have looked uneasy to those around her, but she smiled to them when they looked to her. The men raising their mugs slightly in acknowledgment. They also knew that if somethig was bothering her out there in the darkness, she would've either moved to scout it herself or sent men to check the perimeter. Maybe she had became too laid back knowing, or thinking; York were in hiding. And even then they didn't really know if they actually were in hiding. Lancaster hadn't dared to follow up the lead on it since Sir Richard's own scouts hadn't returned from a York camp. Their bodies found days later dumped in the moors. Of course they'd been carried home. Lancaster wouldn't leave their own out like that.
As Ava turned to look behind her again, she was greeted by a sword directed to her throat; a gloved hand clamped over her mouth as she was dragged backwards by the unknown soldier. Over the cheering and laughter of her soldiers, and the standing crowd before her, no one noticed that she had disappeared. Sir Richard and Sir George were the men that now fought in the circle of soldiers. As she was dragged away and into the shadow of the castle, she desperately tried to work the hand off of her mouth. Fearing the sword at her throat. It was close to her skin, its coldness brushing against her. She could hear the faint rustle of armour, and the sheathing of swords. She counted them. Two. Three. Four. Four swords. Four men.
When the hand eventually moved from her mouth, it was replaced with a piece of fabric. A flag of York. "Well. Ava. Your men fight well. Are these wager fights to ensure they're fit for battle? Should you not be taking part in them? How else will you learn to fend off men like us?" The voice was dark, and low. Its owner silently motioning for two of his men to take Ava's arms, holding them tightly. In Ava's silence, the man chuckled for a second before it faded quickly as he delivered a sharp punch to her stomach. "Sir Henry Stafford sends his regards" sneered one of the men in her ear as he jerked her arm harshly, feeling her tense. "Tell your King that his days are numbered. The rightful King of England has returned, and he will take up the throne again" growled the first voice again, delivering more sharp punches to Ava's stomach, directing several of them at her sternum. "You're a fool" mumbled Ava under the flag that gagged her. "Edward is no King" she mumbled again. Regretting it as the man stepped forwards, grabbing her jaw to force her to look in his eyes. She could see him now. But only just. "King Edward will take the throne. And you will be locked in the tower of London. You and all your men. Your Richard Neville. And George Plantagenet"
Ava headbutted him with the split second that she had, earning another punch in the sternum for her attack. She could feel the broken ribs from the gauntlet punches. The man grabbed her jaw once more. "We weren't ordered to kill you. Don't make me break an order" his voice deathly low as he spoke. Ava worked the flag out of her mouth, pushing it as hard as she could with her tongue. Managing to drop it to her neck, she spat in the soldiers face. "What man wouldn't break an order to kill a traitor" she hissed, her own voice low, and deathly. Silence followed as the soldier wiped his face, hissing a quick word of "Bitch" before he punched her relentlessly. Not stopping until he felt wetness seeping through the cracks of his gauntlets.
One of the other soldiers returned the gag to Ava's mouth, tighter this time. Her face was littered with cuts and blood, her stomach bloodied and bruised. Ribs cracked and broken. "York will take the throne, Ava. King Edward will reign once more and Lancaster will be destroyed once and for all. Now I won't tell you again. Tell your King Henry that his time is up. Your soldiers that their only chance of survival is to drop ties to you and Lancaster" A sword pressed against her cheek now as the soldier continued. "Should you fail. We'll come back. And we'll talk with you again. You won't forget. Will you?" Ava shook her head, genuinly fearful with these men around her. "Just to make sure" The soldier made a slit in her cheek. Feeling the blood seep onto his hand slowly.
With that, they dropped her. Exiting the castle grounds as quickly as they had entered. Ava dragged herself to lean against the castle wall. Her arm clamped across her stomach and ribs. The pain was far too great to move. But she knew she had to try. She just had to. But the pain was far too great. Her ribs ached. Her face stung in the chill of the night. All she could do was pray that someone noticed she was gone. The knot in the flag was too tight for her to undo.
Giving up, she tried to relax against the wall. Her blood soaking her tunic. She could do nothing now but watch. And wait. Surely they would notice soon.
At least she hoped they would notice.

[Authors Note: York have made a powerful statement with their actions! Who are the mystery soldiers that attacked? And how close are York to Warwick Castle to have soldiers arrive so quickly? Keep reading!
Remember, this story will be editied if I believe something doesn't work to advance the story. But so far, everything has worked! So lets continue, and thank you for the support so far!]