- SINDRI'S POV -
I watched as Ryon carried away the body of his friend. Once I was sure he was gone, I got to my feet and hobbled to the riverbank. Once there, I discarded my long walking stick and slid out of my dirty uniform and into the shockingly icy water. For the first time in a while, I opened my eyes. The colors of the world were even more vibrant than I remembered, more beautiful. The wildflowers were light purples and blues, the sky a blend of the tones. The green of the leaves was bright green, seeming to greet me with their many inviting shades. I basked in the feel of liquid against my skin, instead of wet, clingy fabric. I peeled away the strips of linen that bound my chest and scrubbed them on a rough stone alongside my slowly-whitening outfit.
I lay out my clothes to dry on the bank and swam further into the sluggish current. I ducked under the surface and watched small fish dart away and into the weeds. I pulled myself upward once again. I shivered when the air hit my skin, causing gooseflesh to rise. I swam for a while, drawing energy from the much-needed free time. When the sun was high in the sky, I reluctantly waded to shore in the waist-high water. I fingered my pant leg. Dry. Perfect. I finally crawled out of the river and onto the gravelly bank. I lay there for a moment, enjoying the feel of warm sun on my flesh.
Minutes passed, and I clothed myself once more. With a heavy-hearted sigh, I pulled my mask back over my face and closed my eyes, shifting back into my darkness. I lifted my walking stick from the ground and made my way back to the tree I had spent the past day at. I sensed Ryon turn to look at me.
"Good. You're back. I was worried about you. Where've ya been?" he asked. He cared about me? Odd. I jerked my thumb over my shoulder, gesturing to the river. I didn't sit, for I felt the tension in the air. I cocked my head to the side in a silent question.
"This is really important. I used to think you were Prince Mason, until this morning. You may be Dimitri. You could be Farnoff for all I know. Some say you're an eastern aristocrat." Ryon began. I had a feeling I knew where this was going. "My point is, I need to know who you are behind the mask." I wondered how he knew the head Royal Assassin. I shook my head and used the long branch I held to write a single word in the dirt.
'Why?'
"Because you're just a lad. I don't want you getting hurt." I could feel the worry staining the crisp summer air like blood on a battlefield. "Please. Just write it out. This is your last chance." I couldn't disobey my noble King's direct orders. My identity was to stay hidden. I shook my head vigorously.
The moment I made my decision clear, strong hands grabbed my arm and twisted it at a strange angle. Recognizing this position from Training, I jumped high into the air ind kicked my attacker in what I assumed was his face. Three more rushed me. I shoved over a soldier with uneven footing and balanced myself out. I blocked kicks, punches, and even blades in a whirl of my new-found staff.
The dull thump of metal against wood finally brought me into the gravity of the situation. Adrenaline kicked in and I thought back to my long hours of combat Training.
Don't show pain.
Keep your footing.
Don't stop until all who oppose you are contained or dead.
Respect those that have fallen by your hand.
I didn't want to kill them. Not in front of Ryon. He had taken care of me. Killing his friends wasn't exactly the best way to repay him. I fought valiantly, but it was soon clear that I was heavily outnumbered. All that was left was a fierce hope and iron will. My limbs suddenly felt as sturdy as the flowered vines that hung from the leafy canopy. Black spots dotted my vision. Raspy coughs once again racked my body. Unable to continue, I lowered myself to the ground. My hands were bound behind my back. I was roughly yanked to my feet.
I was practically dragged through the trees. In time, I felt the thrum of camp. I was shoved through the quickly-assembling crowd toward a wooden platform. I stumbled up the plank stairs and onto the stage. A single beam high above stretched across the structure. From it dangled a single rope... with a loop at the end. The truth struck me the moment I felt the knot at the end, but I wasn't afraid. It was all to simple. I was going to be hanged.
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Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've been... busy. Anyways, I just published my second book (not in this series) yesterday. It's a nonfiction piece. Find it if you want to. It's kind of depressing actually...
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The Blood in Our Veins
Fantasy(Book One in the Storm Trilogy) Sindri Willow is next in line to become High Queen of Arkenon. She accepted this responsibility with a heavy heart, though she may need to rule sooner than she wanted. Her uncle, Lord Gallahein, plans to take the thro...
